Romano-British Silver Bronze Plate Brooch with Dolphins

Discoid in plan with D-shaped nozzle, loop handle, discus with low-relief image of the Fortuna-Tyche with modius and rudder, standing and looking left; base marked off with two circular grooves. 38 grams, 80 mm



From the collection of Mr W.A. Stewart, Director of School of Arts and Crafts, Cairo, 1919-1929. Acquired Christie's, London, Antiquities, Works of Art and Important Renaissance Bronzes, Plaquettes and Limoges Enamels, 8 July 1981, no.126 (part). From a private Wiltshire, UK, collection. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Christie's catalogue page.

The lamp belongs to the Bussière type, form D I 3, from a period between the late Flavian era to the second half of the second century A.D.

Fragments of wall plaster with rendered surface painted with mainly red, pale blue and white detailing; some with impression of timber laths to the reverse. 966 grams total, 8.1-11.6 cm



Acquired in the 19th century. Ex Jeger collection, Switzerland. UK gallery, early 2000s.

These small fragments, for analogies with the fragments of Pompeii, seem to belong to the second style of Roman painting, red panels representing highlight and shadow, decorated with vegetal interlaces. Some panels were probably framed by a red grenade fillet. A fragment shows alternate blue and red colour over a cream background, maybe pertinent to a socle.

With facetted hoop, ellipsoid cell to the bezel with inset carnelian gemstone, intaglio image of a kantharos; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 5.88 grams, 24.02 mm overall, 19.60 mm internal diameter (approximate size British S, USA 9, Europe 20, Japan 19)



From the collection of a Surrey gentleman; acquired 1970-1980.

From the middle of the 3rd century AD, gem production in the Roman Empire declined rapidly. At the same time the first Christian motifs began to be visible on the rings.