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Details

LOT 0092

Yellow Sapphire Gemstone of Commodus in Later Gold Mount

ROMAN, 2ND CENTURY A.D. OR LATER

1 in. (4.93 grams, 24 mm).

The naturalistic pale yellow sapphire engraved with the bust of the emperor in profile right.

Provenance

Acquired in the 1980s.
Ex European collection.
Private collection of a London antiquarian.

Footnotes

The reign of Commodus (177-192 A.D.) is typically associated with the end of the period in Roman history, the golden era of peace. He initially reigned jointly with his father Marcus Aurelius (177-180 A.D.), and later alone. Commodus cultivated a personality cult which culminated in his performance as a gladiator in the Colosseum. He was eventually assassinated by a wrestler in the baths, marking the end of the Nerva-Antonine Dynasty. He was succeeded by Pertinax.

CONDITION

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AUCTIONS:

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LOT 0092

Yellow Sapphire Gemstone of Commodus in Later Gold Mount

Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,430

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