Romano-Egyptian Silver Snake Bracelet

Comprising an expanding hoop with angled shoulders, the bezel with raised lozenge decorated with incised pellets and an X-motif. 3.42 grams, 21.94 mm overall, 19.03 mm internal diameter (approximate size British L, USA 5 3/4, Europe 11.24, Japan 10)



Found Northants border, UK. Acquired on the UK and EU art market before 2000. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

Rings of these typologies seem to have been manufactured in Britain, and are characterised by decorative mouldings on the hoop. Sometimes the broad elements of the hoop had a decorative setting soldered to it.

D-section hoop, elliptical in plan, with raised oval bezel set with a jasper intaglio engraved with inverted Greek inscription 'IXΘYC' (ichthys, meaning 'fish"), a Greek acronym for 'Jesus Christ, Son of God; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 9.18 grams, 21.91 mm overall, 18.68 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O 1/2, USA 7 1/4, Europe 15.61, Japan 15)



Private collector, acquired in the early 1990s. Private collection, England.

The term ichthys is the equivalent of the ancient Greek: ixθus, ichthýs ('fish'), used by early Christians to refer to Jesus Christ. For this reason, the fish symbol was very common in the catacombs of Rome. In particular, the ichthys is one of the oldest Christian symbols that has come down to us. Used covertly by Christians to mask their faith from Roman persecutors, when a Christian encountered a stranger whose loyalty he needed to know, he would draw one of the arches that make up the ichthys in the sand. If the stranger completed the sign, the two individuals recognised each other as followers of Christ. The symbol was also drawn on the doors of the houses of Christian families. Its use spread in the 3rd century to personal effects such as the ring offered here.

With piriform lower body, extended cylindrical neck and flange rim; iridescent surfaces. 31.4 grams, 10.1 cm



From a London, UK, collection, 1990s.

This toilet bottle (Clairmont balsamarium type F) is characterised by the cylindrical neck with slight constriction at the bottom. Similar examples have been found in the Wadi Eshari, Jordan (Wadi-Es-Sir).