SOLD - June 2006

Archives: Regional Art: Ancient World: Roman Pre AD 1000: item #422343
SOLD - Jun

A thick bronze fitting representing two stylised confronting dolphins. The scroll at either end represents the tails, and the humps either side of the central flattened protrusion represent the heads. Below is a indented border representing the waves of the sea. Probably a fitting for a leather belt or harness. Roman, 2nd or 3rd Century AD Intact. Traces of silvering or tinning to the front surface. Size: 4.7 x 1.6 cms Ex. UK Private collection, Acquired County Durham.

SOLD - May 2006

Archives: Regional Art: Ancient World: Roman Pre AD 1000: item #422341
SOLD - May

A bronze horse harness fitting (probably part of its military regalia) in the form of an elongated heart shape with a small rounded finial to the base. The top is pierced for attachment. Roman, c 2nd or 3rd Century AD Intact. Surface eroded. Size: 3.7 x 2.1 cms Ex. Private collection. Acquired in County Durham.

S O L D - November 2005

Archives: Regional Art: Ancient World: Roman Pre AD 1000: item #422340
S O L D -

A fragment from a small marble figure, forming a part of the base and the right foot. The toes and nails are clearly defined and well preserved. Roman, 3rd or 4th Century AD. Fragment as seen. Size: 4.5 x 2.7 x 2.6 cms. Ex. UK Private collection, Sam Hyatt, London.

SOLD - July 06

Archives: Regional Art: Ancient World: Roman Pre AD 1000: item #422338
SOLD - Jul

A solid cast and heavy bronze ring with a loop above. Probably part of the rein trappings of a horse. Roman, 2nd or 3rd Century AD Intact. Size: 4.3 x 3.8 cms Ex. Private collection, UK. Acquired County Durham.

sold - sept 05-Roman oil lamp fragment

Archives: Regional Art: Ancient World: Roman Pre AD 1000: item #422337
sold - sep

The upper decorated part of a Roman pottery oil lamp. The surface is moulded with a vibrant rosette radiating from the central aperture. Roman, 2nd Century AD Fragment, base and spout lost Size: 9.1 x 7.1 x 4 cms Ex. collection, Michael Alexander, London. The previous owner of this vessel was a fascinating person: a Special Boat Service captain, captured during the 2nd World War in North Africa and incarcerated for 2.5 years in Colditz Castle as one of the "Prominente", sharing his cell with... Click for details

S O L D - November 2005

Archives: Regional Art: Ancient World: Roman Pre AD 1000: item #422335
S O L D -

A very well detailed pottery wing fragment from a substantial figure of a Cupid or putto. The feathers are modelled in high relief with added incised details. Hellenistic period, probably from the Canosan colonies of South Italy, c. 2nd Century BC. Size: 9.5 x 5 cms. Fragment as shown, tip of wing lost, traces of light biscuit coloured slip decoration. Provenance: Ex. UK collection, acquired pre 1988.

sold Aug 05-

Archives: Regional Art: Ancient World: Roman Pre AD 1000: item #421317
sold Aug 0

A gold ring with a simple solid shank, set with an oval bezel containing a carnelian intaglio. The intaglio is incised with a figure of a striding male lion within a dashed line border. The lion was a symbol of strength and power in antiquity, much as it still is today. Late Roman or possibly Sassanian, 4th/5th Century AD. Intact and fully wearable. Size: maximum external diameter: 2.1 cms. Minimum internal diameter: 1.6 cms. Fits comfortably on my little finger though I have quite large han... Click for details

Small Roman Lead Dice

Archives: Regional Art: Ancient World: Roman Pre AD 1000: item #420382

Playing dice was a popular passtime among both the rich and the poor of the Roman empire. Evidence from vase paintings and frescoes indicates that 2-3 dice were in play during most games, and the dice were tossed after shaking them in a cup. Gambling became such an obsession for some Romans, and such a social problem in general, that the government was forced to restrict it. This was indeed unusual for the Romans, as they rarely restricted any type of civil or business activity. The Republic res... Click for details

Roman Glass Unguent with Amazing Violet Iridescence

Archives: Regional Art: Ancient World: Roman Pre AD 1000: item #417887

The unguentarium was the earliest glass shape to be blown. It is characterized by the bulbous bottle with a long, tubular neck. This general purpose bottle, probably known as ampulla in antiquity, was made in a wide range of sizes. Small ampullae are called unguentaria or balsamaria in modern terminology after the contents, which were often unguents or ointments. But, the bottles were also used for scented oils, cosmetics, pigments, salves, medicines, and even dried herbs. Many such objects were... Click for details

Choice Roman Unguent with Multicolor Iridescence

Archives: Regional Art: Ancient World: Roman Pre AD 1000: item #417884

The unguentarium was the earliest glass shape to be blown. It is characterized by the bulbous bottle with a long, tubular neck. This general purpose bottle, probably known as ampulla in antiquity, was made in a wide range of sizes. Small ampullae are called unguentaria or balsamaria in modern terminology after the contents, which were often unguents or ointments. But, the bottles were also used for scented oils, cosmetics, pigments, salves, medicines, and even dried herbs. Many such objects were... Click for details