Auction 86 - Glyptics and Ancient Jewelry

A large roman carnelian intaglio set in a gold ring. Bust of Athena.

2nd – 3rd century A.D.

Intaglio : 14 x 19 mm
Ring : 21 x 19,5 mm
17,43 g

Large rounded hoop ending with an oval bezel with the carnelian intaglio.
The goddess is turned on the left, represented with an helmet in a form of a mask showing wavy hair which gives a dimension of movement. The egides on her bust. Nice dimension of the stone and nice execution.
Small chip on the edge of the stone.



U.K private collection, London.

A roman three-layers onyx cameo. Athena.

2nd – 3rd century A.D.

11 x 16 x 7 mm

Helmeted bust of Athena. The goddess is depicted in profile, with the aegis. The gem is characterized by an high thickness. Very fine condition.




U.K private collection

A roman banded agate intaglio set in ancient gold ring. Bust of Helios.

2nd century A.D.

intaglio : 9 x 13 mm
ring : 20 x 19 mm
8,30 g

The solar god is turned on the left wearing the radiated crown. The intaglio is set in a large hoop, rounded without, flat within.

For the intaglio see parallels :
Antik Gemmen in Deutschen Sammlungen, Band IV, T.211, 1587, inv. K481

U.K. private collection 1985. Formerly in Arthur Sambon (1867-1947) collection.

A roman amethyst intaglio set in a large ancient gold ring. Bust of Artemis.

3rd century A.D.

Stone: 12 x 16 mm; ring diam. 18 mm; 12,22 gr.

With a large hollow hoop rounded without and flatten within, the broad shoulders ending with an oval bezel set with a large amethyst intaglio. The bust depicts the goddess Artemis facing left. She is characterized by a long neck and a rounded face with a proeminent chin. The semi-opened mouth is surmounted by a straight short nose. The large eye is framed with heavy lids and eyebrow and the pupil is incised. The short fronthead is surmounted by long weavy hair ending behind the neck with two large locks. The head adorned with a diadema. The bust is draped with an globular attach (fibula), behind, bow and arrows. The features treatment especially the eyes, nose and chin are characteristics of the near eastern workshops. The intact gold mouting shows traces of deposits and patina. Nice intense color of the stone.



U.K private collection, London.

A large roman eliotrope intaglio. Bust of Athena.

2nd - 4th century A.D.

16 x 22 x 5 mm


The helmeted divinity faces left and is depicted with a well-detailed bust decorated with a gorgoneion. Attractive variety of heliotrope, characterized by multi-colored inclusions. The stone is large in size and shows signs of wear on the entire surface.



U.K. private collection, London.

A roman rock crystal intaglio. Bust of Hercules.

2nd century A.D.

1,3 x 1,7 x 5 mm

The mythological hero is facing right and depicted with young features; plain chick, rounded chin, a long straight nose and a wide-open eye. The short fronthead is surmonted by a range of weavy hair, the rest covered by the head of a lion letting the ears uncovered. The details of the animal skin is well rendered, the crest hairs and the paws binding around the neck of the hero. Very fine execution and beautiful variety of rock crystal, with few inclusions. Wear marks.



U.K private collection, London.

A roman sard intaglio. Bust of Mercury.

1st B.C. - 1st century A.D.

11 x 13 x 2 mm

The young god face is presented on a light three-quarters. Caduceus behind the shoulder.Marked anatomical features. Slight wear marks.



U.K private collection

A roman carnelian intaglio. Female head.

2nd century A.D.

6 x 9 x 2 mm

Portrait of a young woman, turned to the left. Slight wear marks.



U.K private collection

A roman carnelian intaglio. Zeus Serapis.

1st century A.D.

16 x 17,5 x 4 mm

The bearded god is facing left, with a draped bust and a modius on the head. Slight wear marks and chipping on the edge. Attractive color of the stone.



U.K private collection

A roman red jasper intaglio. Allegory of Zeus.

2nd - 3rd century A.D.

13 x 16 x 3 mm

Above, the bust of Zeus Serapis facing left, below the eagle with open wings; on the sides, military banners surmounted by winged victories. Allegory of the military and political power of the Empire. Well composed subject. Slight signs of wear.

Parallel: Antiken Gemmen in Deutschen Sammlungen, Band I, Staatliche Munzsammlung Munchen, Teil 3, p. 86 n. 2667

U.K private collection, London.

A roman agate cameo. Four conjoined heads (Janus).

1st century B.C. - 2nd century A.D.

14 x 16 x 5 mm

In the foreground, the typical two-faced bust of Janus characterized by two conjoined bearded heads. In the background there are two other conjoined bearded heads, seen in profile: two overlapping pairs of joint heads. The iconography is inspired by the apotropaic compositions of the gryllos and the carvings with vases covered by conjoined human heads. The model for the double-faced bust of Janus comes from the Roman republican coinage (see : Anonymous. Circa 225-217 BC. Æ Aes Grave As). Wear marks. Large chippings on the backside of the stone. Unusual specimen. Rare iconography.



U.K private collection

A roman red jasper intaglio. Bust of ephebus.

2nd century A.D.

10 x 13 x 2 mm

The young man is turned on the left side. The head is characterized with long thick hair covering the ears. Attractive stone color. Little chipping on the edge.



U.K private collection