Romano-Egyptian Silver Snake Ring

A silver ring composed of a convex ellipsoid hoop, expanding at the shoulders to a raised oval bezel with collar, set with a green jasper intaglio gemstone engraved with the image of a goddess, carrying a staff and a laurel crown. 8.43 grams, 23.53 mm overall, 19.80 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M 1/2, USA 6 1/4, Europe 13.09, Japan 12)



Acquired in the late 1990s-2000. Property of an East London gentleman.

The ring presents similarities with the type II, variant 1 of the Ruseva-Slokoska classification. Many rings with images of divinities were found by the archaeologists as votive offerings to the divinities engraved on the bezel. It is difficult to interpret which divinity is represented in this ring, but the sceptre and the laurel crown could hint at it being Hera or Juno.

A carved marble head with large lentoid eyes and wavy hair; mounted on a custom-made stand. 8.9 kg total, 37 cm high including stand



French collection, 1960s-early 2000s. From an important Paris gallery, France.

A series of portrait heads, busts and marble statues from the 5th-6th century A.D. Ephesus, show great affinity with this sculpture. This typology of portraits shows how the late Roman art progressed in the search for a characterisation. The hair is deeply worked with a drill creating a chiaroscuro and immobile mass, the face is treated with large expressive folds, making this head a magnificent expression of late Imperial Roman art.

A gold amulet case pendant composed of a cylindrical body with two suspension loops to one face, filigree collar to both arms, one end face retaining a removeable domed cap. 1.15 grams, 15 mm



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.