Roman Turquoise Glass and Other Bead Necklace String

The horse standing on a groundline with its front leg raised and head turned to right, ribbed tail and mane, simple saddle on the back; hinged pin and remains of catchplate beneath. 17.7 grams, 37 mm



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Comprising a hollow-form round-section hoop widening towards the shoulders, set with a table-cut garnet with foil backing, polished. 1.55 grams, 21.78 mm overall, 15.63 x 14.16 mm internal diameter (approximate size British H 1/2, USA 4, Europe 6.81, Japan 6)



From the old family collection of a West Country, UK, lady; acquired by descent from her grandfather circa 2001.

A mixed group of ceramic bullae, tesserae or theatre tokens bearing low-relief motifs of profile busts, three with Hebrew text to the reverse. 3.97 grams total, 12-17 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.

The term 'tessera' was used in Roman times to convey the Greek term σύμβολον (token). Small tiles are known as tokens, often shaped like coins, made of metal (copper, lead, iron), clay, bone, wood, or glass, stamped as well as engraved. The tokens, however, are not exclusively coin-shaped, as the Latin term 'tessera' suggests by etymologically referring to a square or at least a four-sided shape and confirmed in several cases by material remains of the past. Tokens and tesserae seem to have been used both in Athens and Rome for the distribution of goods. According to written sources, the term token is identified with credentials of the official authorities. They have also been interpreted as tokens of identity, as entrance tickets to theatre performances, tribunals or assemblies of citizens, archival material of seal engraving, as pawns in games, Charon’s obols and even as amulets.