Ancient Roman Silver Pendant with two facing busts
Opens 18:00
Starting bid
€ 1
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Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 250 - € 330
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Description from the seller
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Ancient Roman silver pendant of circular form, with a ribbed suspension loop above and an intaglio-style relief showing a male and female facing bust within the roundel.
A small and finely made personal ornament, combining decorative form with figural imagery.
-> Roman jewellery with paired facing busts may have commemorative, protective, or symbolic significance. Such miniature images could represent deities, spouses, family members, idealised marriage or betrothal portraits, reflecting the Roman taste for meaningful personal jewellery.
Condition: Good ancient condition with age-related wear, surface irregularities and deposits. Finely and detailed portraits. The pendant remains well preserved overall, with the suspension loop intact and the paired busts still clearly visible.
Size: ± 15,2 mm (including suspension loop)
Diameter: ± 11,2 mm
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
-> Personal pendants were widely worn in the Roman world and could serve many purposes beyond simple adornment. Some were amuletic, others devotional, commemorative, or sentimental, and many carried images chosen for their symbolic value. Precious metal examples in silver were especially suitable for intimate personal jewellery, combining durability with a refined appearance.
Miniature bust imagery was a familiar feature in Roman visual culture, appearing on coins, rings, medallions, and pendants. When shown as paired facing portraits, such figures could suggest harmony, union, dynastic association, or private devotion. Objects such as this reflect the Roman preference for jewellery that was not only attractive, but also expressive of identity, belief, and personal connection.
Material:
This object has been carefully examined for its material and surface characteristics.
Laboratory analysis (e.g. XRF) is not routinely undertaken in private collecting, and destructive testing is avoided as it causes permanent damage to archaeological material.
Before modern hallmarking, gold and silver alloys varied depending on local resources, recycling practices and economic conditions.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Ancient Roman silver pendant of circular form, with a ribbed suspension loop above and an intaglio-style relief showing a male and female facing bust within the roundel.
A small and finely made personal ornament, combining decorative form with figural imagery.
-> Roman jewellery with paired facing busts may have commemorative, protective, or symbolic significance. Such miniature images could represent deities, spouses, family members, idealised marriage or betrothal portraits, reflecting the Roman taste for meaningful personal jewellery.
Condition: Good ancient condition with age-related wear, surface irregularities and deposits. Finely and detailed portraits. The pendant remains well preserved overall, with the suspension loop intact and the paired busts still clearly visible.
Size: ± 15,2 mm (including suspension loop)
Diameter: ± 11,2 mm
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
-> Personal pendants were widely worn in the Roman world and could serve many purposes beyond simple adornment. Some were amuletic, others devotional, commemorative, or sentimental, and many carried images chosen for their symbolic value. Precious metal examples in silver were especially suitable for intimate personal jewellery, combining durability with a refined appearance.
Miniature bust imagery was a familiar feature in Roman visual culture, appearing on coins, rings, medallions, and pendants. When shown as paired facing portraits, such figures could suggest harmony, union, dynastic association, or private devotion. Objects such as this reflect the Roman preference for jewellery that was not only attractive, but also expressive of identity, belief, and personal connection.
Material:
This object has been carefully examined for its material and surface characteristics.
Laboratory analysis (e.g. XRF) is not routinely undertaken in private collecting, and destructive testing is avoided as it causes permanent damage to archaeological material.
Before modern hallmarking, gold and silver alloys varied depending on local resources, recycling practices and economic conditions.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Details
Culture
Ancient Roman
Century/timeframe
2nd-3rd century AD
Name of object
Pendant with two facing busts
Acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Year acquired
2026
Material
Silver
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Previous owner - year acquired
2025
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
