Roman Terracotta Forger's Casting Mould

Composed of graduated beads with larger beads as a central feature; restrung. 15.1 grams, 42 cm



From the London, UK, art market in the 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Such necklaces testify to the popularity of glass ornaments across the Roman Empire. Roman jewellery at first followed trends set by the Etruscans, using gold and glass beads, but with the extension of the Empire and the adoption of different styles from Greece, Egypt and North Africa, jewellery designs became increasingly various and elaborate. Each bead of this beautiful necklace is unique in shape, lustre and speckling, creating a mosaic-like impression. Blue glass beads can be grouped into opaque mid-blue and deep translucent cobalt blue types.

Barrel-shaped in profile with low flared foot, stepped inner rim, two loop handles below the rim with palmette detailing; sidewall with applied motifs: clusters of discs, rosette, seated bearded man in long robe, winged female in profile, human foot - one with neatly incised retrograde legend '[T]POKOΛ' (abbreviated maker's name). 273 grams, 16.2 cm



UK private collection before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, London, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12833-240780. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

With slightly flattened base and spherical body, tubular neck with flared and rolled rim, one handle absent. 22.77 grams, 77 mm



Ex property of a London collector; acquired 1960s. Property of a North London, UK, lady. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.