Lot 729
A Roman gold-pyxis of Paulina, 1st - 3rd century
Works of Art, Asiatica, Antiquities | A90kua | Live auction | 876 Lots
Hammer price € 34,000
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Fascinating round gold box with lid. The exterior decorated with four winged erotes in half relief, two of which are depicted frontally, two in motion to the right. The attributes - flute, Thyrsos staffs, drinking bowls, a wine basket - suggest a bacchanalian-pastoral background. The decoration of the lid with a garland matches this. A stylised pine cone serves as a knob. There is an additional bottom inside. Punched on the bottom the Roman woman's name PAVLINA. She must have been a lady at least from the provincial or even from the imperial ruling class. A connection to Caecilia Paulina, the wife of Emperor Maximinus Thrax (emperor between 235 - 238), remains unproven. Weight 99.7 g.Provenance: South German private collection.
Condition: II Questions about the lot?