ASTA 267 - GLITTICA

A ROMAN AGATE INTAGLIO SET IN A GOLD RING. SPHINX WITH CADUCEUS.

1st - 2nd century A.D.

Stone 10x13 mm; int. diam 17 mm; 5,91 gr

With rounded hoop, the shoulders incised with lily flowers and surmounted by an oval box setting set with an agate intaglio; Winged sphinx facing left, the head surmounted by a modius (?) is looking at a caduceus. Groundline. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A GROUP OF 4 ROMAN GOLD RINGS SET WITH ENGRAVED THREE LAYERED AGATE INTAGLIOS. VARIOUS SUBJECTS.

2nd century A.D.

Min stone 5x7 mm max 7x9 mm; min int. Diam 12 mm max int. Diam 14 mm; Total weight 22,68 gr

With massive rounded hoops expanding onto oval bezels and set with layered agate intaglios: figure to be identified; parrot on a branch; Harpocrates; shrimp. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A FINE ROMAN CITRINE INTAGLIO. GRIFFIN KILLING A SNAKE.

1st century A.D.

12x15x6 mm

The winged creature faces left, in the act of killing a snake. The scene may also have an allegorical meaning. Extraordinary variety of citrine, convex on both sides, characterized by a very bright light. Small chips. Wear marks. Rare.

Provenance: From a private collection, France, acquired From the Galerie de Serres, Paris in the 1990s-early 2000s

A ROMAN CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. EROS RIDING A SEA-HORSE.

2nd century A.D.

11x15x4,5 mm

The winged figure is riding a sea-horse facing right over the waves of the sea. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A ROMAN RED JASPER INTAGLIO. PRAWN AND FISH.

1st-2nd century A.D.

8,5x11x3 mm

The shrimp facing left, beneath the fish facing right. Slight wear marks.

Provenance: From a private collection, Nothern Germany acquired before 1981 ; Gorny & Mosch, Auction. 202, 14/12/2011, lot 234. This lot is sold under temporary import status.

A ROMAN BLOODSTONE INTAGLIO. EAGLE WITH MILITARY INSIGNIA, CRESCENT MOON AND STARS.

2nd century A.D.

10x12x2 mm

This allegorical military depiction is composed by an eagle spreading his wings on the center of the scene. On each side, a legion standard. On top, two stars and a crescent moon. Groundline. Fine execution and nice variety of stone. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K private collection

A LATE ROMAN BURNT AGATE INTAGLIO. EAGLE.

4th century A.D.

7 x 10 x 2 mm

The surface burned to obtain a light contrast color. The bird turns its head to the right. Wear marks.

Provenance: From the collection of an European gentleman, acquired on the art market

A ROMAN CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. PARROT.

2nd - 3rd century A.D.

7 x 9 x 2 mm

Parrot facing left with cherries in its beak. Groundline.

Provenance: U.K collection acquired on the art market

A ROMAN BURNT CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. TWO ROASTERS PULLING A CHARIOT DRIVEN BY A CORNUCOPIA.

1st-2nd century A.D.

7x10x2 mm

Interesting scene of two roosters looking at each other pulling a chariot with a cornucopia and a small supporting altar on it. Burnt stone. Small chips and wear marks.

Provenance: From a private collection, France, acquired from Rupert Wace in the early 2000s

A ROMAN CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. TWO ROOSTERS WITH AN INSCRIPTION.

1st-2nd century A.D.

10x13x2,5 mm

On the left, the winning rooster holds a branch in its beak; on the right side, the defeated one is in a submissive pose. Groundline. In the field, inscription "ZPIN". Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A ROMAN CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. EROS LEADING A GROUP OF FOUR ROOSTERS.

2nd century A.D.

10x14,5x4 mm

Eros is leading a group of four roosters to the left. There was probably a small cart, worn out by the wear of the stone. Interesting depiction. Wear marks.

Provenance: Formerly in the D.C. collection, London ; acquired by a private collector from the above in the early 2000s.

A ROMAN AMETHYST INTAGLIO. ROOSTER WITH AN EAR OF CORN.

2nd century A.D.

9 x 11 x 5 mm

Rooster facing left with an ear of corn. Groundline. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K collection acquired on the art market