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LOT 0103
Venus with Victory Gemstone in Gold Ring
ROMAN, 1ST -2ND CENTURY A.D. OR LATER
1 in. (12.04 grams, 24.22 mm overall, 20.19 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T, USA 9 1/2, Europe 21.26, Japan 20)).
The chrysoprase gemstone with intaglio Venus seated beside a tree, altar and miniature Victory before her; mounted in a later gold ring; accompanied by a museum-quality impression.
ProvenanceEx property of a London gentleman; acquired London art market, 1970-1980.
LiteratureCf. gemstone in the Royal Collection, later remounted as a pendant, under accession number RCIN 65741.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Roman Bone and Other Gaming Piece Collection
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Most discoid in form and displaying a variety of designs: a ring of dimples; dot-in-ring motifs within roundels; 'stars' with dimpled terminals; a five-pointed star; a lozenge-shaped counter displaying punched ring-and-dot motifs to one face. 24.4 grams total, 21-41 mm
Gabby family collection since the late 1960s; thence by descent. -
Section of Roman Newark Pavement
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £845
The section comprising square and rectangular tesserae set into Roman cement; held in a wooden frame with identification plaque. 4.1 kg, 33.3 cm wide
From a 19th century collection based on the bone plaque and frame. From an old collection of antiquities built up by a family in Newark, Nottinghamshire, UK.
This floor section was originally found presumably near the the site of Ad Pontem, a large walled Roman town on the outskirts of Newark. -
Roman Silver Cochlear Spoon Inscribed 'May You Live in God'
Circa 4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £715
Composed of a decoratively twisted slender stem with onion knop finial and roughly D-shaped neck formed as the arched neck of a horse, the restored oval bowl bearing a Latin inscription '[V]IVASINDEO' to the interior, the underside gently carinated. 13.5 grams, 13.4 cm
Ex Garcia collection, France, 1990s-2000s.
According to the British Museum, the inscription corresponds to the phrase 'Vivas in deo', meaning 'May you live in God'. This inscription was common in the Roman Empire and especially in Roman Britain after the advent of Christianity. A small Roman silver disc, thought to have been part of a signet ring, dated to 4th-5th century and found near Swaffham, is inscribed 'Antonius, may you live in God (Antoni, vivas in Deo)'. It is highly possible that our spoon, if a liturgical object, was used to administer Holy Communion.
