Bertolami Fine Art - Riversdell Close 27, KT16 9JW Chertsey
Auction 86 - Glyptics and Ancient Jewelry sessione unica
Wednesday 9 December 2020 hours 14:00 (UTC +01:00)
A rare roman silver engraved seal. Male portrait.
A rare roman silver engraved seal. Male portrait.
End of the 3rd- Beginning of the 4th century A.D.
Diam. 10 x 4 mm 2,64 grs
The head is facing left, surrounded by the inscription LEONTI-VIVAS. The effigy is characterized by a short hairflow and a drawn beard, both referable to the imperial models of the late 3rd century A.D. (Massimino Daia, Costanzo Cloro, Massenzio). The inscription contains an auspicious meaning to Leontius. This seal was probably mounted into a ring, traces of which are still on the reverse. Excellent preservation.
Parallels: Alföldi, M.R. - 1950 - Aranykincselet Brigetioból a III. Század végéröl, vol. 48-49, pp. 5-9.
European private collection.