ASTA 267 - GLITTICA

A FINE ROMAN AMETHYST INTAGLIO. GORGONA MASK.

1st - 2nd century A.D.

14x17,5x6,5 mm

Beautiful frontal mask of Medusa with wavy hair, wings on top of the head, serpents tied under her chin. The face is rounded, with furrowed eyebrows, the eyes opened but absorbed in a sweet melancholy as is the mouth; the chin small and globular. Extraordinary color and very refined execution inspired by Greek models. Behind the gem is convex slightly pointed. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K collection acquired on the art market

A ROMAN ONYX CAMEO. GORGONA.

3rd century A.D.

16x17x8 mm

Winged head of Gorgona, with snakes. The face is turned slightly by three-quarters. Small missing on the nose and on the edge. Wear marks and traces of deposits.

M. Henig, The Content Cameos, pp. 88-92; Henig, Molesworth, The Complete Content Cameos, pp. 183 - 192 ("Gorgoneia").

Provenance: From the Hekmat & madeleine Nassif Collection, formed between 1933 and 1987 ; U.K. private collection

A ROMAN GNOSTIC HEMATITE INTAGLIO. ANT AND HELIOS-HORUS-MIÔS SEATED ON A LION.

2nd-3rd century A.D.

11x14x3,5 mm

On one side an ant; on the reverse, a character seated on a lion facing left. Probably the god Helios-Horus-Miôs frequently represented on gnostic gems riding a lion. Groundline. In the field, charakteres. Wear marks.

For a similar iconography see: MASTROCINQUE, les Intailles Magiques du département des Monnaies, Médailles et Antiques, 2014, n°49-54.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A ROMAN MAGICAL DARK GREEN JASPER INTAGLIO. EROS TIED TO A COLUMN WITH INSCRIPTION.

2nd - 3rd century A.D.

12,5x16x3 mm

Eros is facing left, tied to a column with the inscription "ΔΙΚΑΙΟΣ", meaning "just deserved". A griffin with the wheel (the Nemesis) over the column. Magical stone referred to the allegory of Love and the Revenge. Missing on the edge. Wear marks.

Provenance: From a private collection, France, acquired on the art market 1990s-early 2000s.

A ROMAN NICOLO INTAGLIO. BUST OF SERAPIS WITH A GREEK INSCRIPTION. 

2nd - 3rd century A.D.

13x16x4 mm

The god is facing left wearing the chiton and himation, with his typical foliated beard and hair surmounted by the modius. Beneath, globe and a pillar on a base. The inscription « ELL-AΔΙ » relative to Greece . Slight ancient natural cracks on the surface of the stone and traces of deposit.

For a similar iconography see: Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg, n. 5889; Guilhou Collection, DE RICCI (p.34, n°218, pl. IV).

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A ROMAN GNOSTIC RED JASPER INTAGLIO. SEATED HARPOCRATES ON A LOTUS WITH INSCRIPTIONS.

2nd-3rd century A.D.

12x16x2 mm

Seated right on a lotus with 2 buds on a groundline. The head surmounted by the solar disc, hand raised to the mouth and flagellum. Around " Χω/ΒωΧ ". Around, inscription "ΧΑΒΡΑΧ/ΦΝΕCΧΗΡ/ΦΙΧΡΟΦΝΥ/ΡωΦω". The inscription is a variation of the χαβραχ-logos. A praxis known from a papyrus (PGM LXI 1-38) specifies that love charms had to be incised with the image of Horus on a lotus flower and the magical name Abraxas. Pieces with the Horus-scheme used as love charms. On the backside, inscription " ΙΑΗΙΕΗ/ΙΟΥωΗΙΗ". This a plinths of vowels which were to multiply the strength of the magic words.

See: A.Mastrocinque, Les intailles magiques du Departe;emt des Monnaies Medailles et Antiques, Paris, n11 and 30.

Provenance: Giorgio Sangiorgi (1886-1965), Rome, acquired and brought to Switzerland, late 1930s; thence by continuous descent to the current owner. This lot is sold under temporary import status.

A ROMAN MAGICAL BLOODSTONE INTAGLIO. HARPOKRATES AND HELIOS.

2nd - 3rd century A.D

12x15x3 mm

On one side, the god is seated on a stylized lotus flower and facing right, encrowned and holding a whip in his right hand. Groundline. On the reverse, portrait of Helios facing left.

Provenance: The Gustave Mustaki collection, exported from Egypt under licence c.1950 and gifted to Elsa MacLellan, his daughter, thence by descent.

A ROMAN MAGICAL BLOODSTONE INTAGLIO. HARPOKRATES AND ANUBIS.

2nd - 3rd century A.D.

14x18x3 mm

The child god is seated inside a sun hold by a kneeled Anubis, arms upraised. In the field, lotus flowers. Groundline.

Provenance: The Gustave Mustaki collection, exported from Egypt under licence c.1950 and gifted to Elsa MacLellan, his daughter, thence by descent.

A ROMAN GNOSTIC GREEN AND BROWN JASPER INTAGLIO. PHOENIX.

2nd-3rd century A.D.

16x19x3,5 mm

Standing right with radiated crown. Groundline. In the field, a star and "ΜΛLΗΟ". Probably a figuration of the egyptian divinity Benu, linked with the Sun, creation, and rebirth. He may have been the original inspiration for the phoenix legends that developed in Greek mythology.

Provenance: Formerly in the private collection of J.A. Mariaud de Serres. This lot is sold under temporary import status.

A ROMAN GNOSTIC YELLOW JASPER INTAGLIO. LIZARD WITH CRESCENT MOON AND LETTERS. INSCRIPTION.

2nd-3rd century A.D.

13x19x2,5 mm

On one side, lizard with crescent moon on top, around « EKBALE », in the sense « to remove(the speck from your eye) » . On the other side « ΟΥΡΙΗΛ-ΟΥΡΙΗΛ » meaning « Uriel, Uriel ». The name of this Archangel is used on magical to invoke his recovery powers. The representation of a lizard on gnostic gems was used as protection or remedy for eyes diseases. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A ROMAN GNOSTIC ORANGE JASPER INTAGLIO. CHNOUBIS WITH GREEK INSCRIPTION.

2nd - 3rd century A.D.

16x23x7 mm

On one side, Chnoubis, the lion-headed snake with solar crown facing a mummified Anubis. Around greek inscription to protect the stomach. On the otherside, inside an ouroboros a lion surmounted by a winged scarab and Abraxas. Signs of wears on the surface of the stone. 

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A ROMAN YELLOW JASPER INTAGLIO. LION WITH ASTROLOGICAL ATTRIBUTES.

2nd century A.D.

10 x 12 x 2 mm

Facing left. On top, crescent moon. Beneath, star. Groundline.

Provenance: U.K collection acquired on the art market

A LARGE GREEN AND YELLOW JASPER MAGICAL INTAGLIO. BES-PANTHEOS.

Possibly 2nd - 3rd A.D. and 20th century?

12x16x5 mm

The deity is depicted with the bearded head of Bes encrowned with a composite crown. Head surrounds by animals protome. With human body, he wears a double pair of wings and arms ending with was scepters. In his right hand he holds the flagellum and the heka, meanwhile in the left, he holds a scorpion. He wears jackal-heads sandals on top of an ouroboros with inside, turtle, crocodile, cobra and a quadrupede. the ityphallic gesture is typical to this divinity sy;bolizing his creative nature. On the backside; inside an ouroboros, a vase with the Kheper at the base and three large phallus emerging. Between, two stars. On each side, a scepter with snake and a column with a canopic jar. The vase is supported by a crocodile facing right. Beneath, three snakes and a lion facin left. In the field, "ΑΧΑΝΑ". Chips on the edge, wear marks.

For a similar gem Michel 2001 / Die Magischen Gemmen im Britischen Museum (161)
Bonner 1950 / Studies in magical amulets, chiefly Graeco-Egyptian
CBd / The Campbell Bonner Magical Gems Database Online (559)

Provenance: U.K. private collection acquired on the british art market.

A ROMAN GNOSTIC HEMATITE INTAGLIO. SEATED MALE CHARACTER.

2nd-3rd century A.D.

20x29x5 mm

Seated front, with bare chest, wearing a long draped skirt and holding in his right hand a bowl with an animalhead on top meanwhile his left hand holds a scepter. Under his feet, a snake. In the field, charakter. On top, two stars. On the backside; inscription (partially missing) "ΑΒΑΖΑ/ΑΛΕΑΠ/VΚΛΙΤΑ/ΑΒΑΗΛ/ΘΑΡV*" . The syncretic figure is characterized by male features, hirsute beard and hair with animal ears. His attributes probably refers to a syncretic divinity or a Decan (?). Wear marks. Rare iconography. Fragmentary (damaged).



Provenance: This lot is sold under temporary import status.

A FINE ROMAN MAGICAL CITRINE INTAGLIO. SEATED DOUBLE-HEADED BABOON WITH INSCRIPTION.

2nd-3rd century A.D.

11x12x7mm

Showing a seated baboon with also a ram's head. The heads encrowned with the uraeus cobra and the sun. The baboon facing right his holding in his right hand a heart-shaped vase with drops to the ground. Groundline. This intriguing iconography refers to the egyptian divinities Thot as a baboon and Khnoum as a ram, both gods considered in the Ermopolis cosmogony as cretaing gods. On the backside, inscription "ΧΟΜΑCΟΜ". Beautiful conservation and very bright color of the stone.

Provenance: Ex Sangiorgi collection, acquired in the late 19th-early 20th century. This lot is sold under temporary import status.

A ROMAN MAGICAL CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. PANTHEISTIC FIGURE WITH INSCRIPTION.

2nd century A.D.

10x14x3 mm

The god is standing front, his head facing right. He wears the atef crown, Amon's horns and an armour. In his right hand, he holds a spear, meanwhile in the left, a weapon (probably). In the field, "ΔΟΜΙ". Groundline. Wear marks. Chips and missing on the edge.

Provenance: The Gustave Mustaki collection, exported from Egypt under licence c.1950 and gifted to Elsa MacLellan, his daughter, thence by descent.

A ROMAN CARNELIAN INTAGLIO. CANOPUS VASE.

1st - 2nd century A.D.

13x15x4 mm

The god Osiris is presented in a canopic jar, wearing the atef crown and facing left. Groundline. Wear marks.

Provenance: The Gustave Mustaki collection, exported from Egypt under licence c.1950 and gifted to Elsa MacLellan, his daughter, thence by descent.

AN EARLY CHRISTIAN RED JASPER INTAGLIO. CROSS AND EAGLE.

3rd-4th century A.D.

12x17x3 mm

In the center the cross, on the left the letter "E", on the right an eagle. Traces of deposits on the surface of the stone. Intact. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A ROMAN GARNET INTAGLIO. YOUNG SHEPHERD WITH HIS DOG AND GREEK INSCRIPTIONS.

3rd century A.D.

11x13x2 mm

The young draped character is standing front, his left holding a short stick, meanwhile his right arm stretched toward his dog. His head turned left is facing a greek inscription « Malxos zebei da »—Malxos leaves. Groundline. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A LOT OF TWO ROMAN MAGICAL HARDSTONE INTAGLIOS.

2nd - 3rd century A.D.

10 x 13 x 4 mm; 10 x 14 x 3 mm.

A green jasper intaglio, with a standing figure surrounded by a magical inscription; a larger carnelian intaglio with a conjoined double bust of Eros playing the lyra and the double aulos, with a greek inscription. Wear marks.

Provenance: U.K. private collection acquired in the british art market.

A ROMAN BLOODSTONE INTAGLIO. SNAKE.

2nd - 3rd century A.D.

8 x 10 x 2 mm

The reptile is facingf left, the mouth wide open. Probably a magical gem. Wear marks.

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

A RARE EARLY CHRISTIAN ROCK CRYSTAL INTAGLIO. 1ST MIRACLE OF THE CHRIST. THE MIRACULOUS DRAUGHT OF FISHES.

3rd-4th century A.D.

24x33x5 mm

The scene shows two male characters pulling a ship on the shore; on the ship, a fisherman holds the net full of fish and the other the rudder. On the left welcoming them; the haloed Christ. Large size of the stone with great brightness. Chips on the edge, wear marks. The scene is of great historical importance and rarity.

For a similar iconography see: SPIER, J., Late Antique and Early Christian Gems, pl.132, Cat.n X70

Provenance: U.K. private collection acquired on the british art market.

A RARE ROMAN ROCK CRYSTAL SHELL.

1st - 2nd century A.D.

30 x 27 x 11 mm

Decorative element in the shape of a shell characterized by radial ribs (of the type Acanthocardia tuberculata, bivalve). Through hole with deposits. Slightly concave inside. Wear marks. These shells in rock crystal are usually considered playing pieces (game counter), even if it is not fully proven, otherwise funerary ex voto later used as a pendant (through hole). Otherwise as toiletry elements to contain the make-up for the funerary equipment. Rare.

British Museum Database: Rock crystal cockle-shell, probably a game-counter. inv. 1923,0401.1181; inv. 1923,0401.1182 (samew size) ; Rock Crystal Pendant in the Shape of a Shell From a woman’s grave c.1st Century AD, Benaki Museum.

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

A FINE ROMAN GOLD AND ROCK CRYSTAL PERFUME BOTTLE.

2nd-3rd century A.D.

H max 72 mm; 22,41 gr.

Oblong in shape, carved from a single block of rock crystal and perforated in the center, the attachment formed of a hammered gold plate, surmounted by a semi-spherical lid with a hoop. Three suspension hooks holding chains of gold links. Good state of conservation. Slight wear marks. Rare.

Provenance: U.K. private collection acquired on the art market.