
Francesca Hickin
Head of Department
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Sold for £637.50 inc. premium
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Head of Department

Senior Specialist
Provenance:
Major James Findlay (1915-1990) collection, Aberdeen, acquired in the 1950s-1960s; and thence by descent.
Sold to benefit Archway, a respite care and housing charity in Aberdeen, charity no. SCO14665.
In ancient Rome, magic gems were used as protective amulets and talismans of good fortune; the present lot was evidently intended to alleviate or cure stomach ailments. The obverse depicts Anguipes, a hybrid zoomorphic divinity commonly found on such gems. For a near-identical gem, see the British Museum, London, acc. no. 1986,0501.106.