Glass vessel (ollula) of Isings 68 type, glass, Roman Empire, 1st-3rd century AD.
This bulbous glass flacon, dating from the Imperial period, 1st-3rd century AD, was crafted using the free-blowing technique from soda-lime glass. Its exceptionally low weight relative to its size indicates very thin walls (measuring approximately 1 millimeter), demonstrating the ancient artisan's supreme skill. Morphologically, the flacon represents a classic Roman form known as ollula (miniature jar), classified in scientific literature as type Isings 68. It features excellent proportions and a bulbous, almost perfectly spherical body with a slightly concave base. The body tapers sharply upwards, transitioning into a short, cylindrical neck, which is crowned by a wide, dish-shaped rim. The broad collar was precisely everted and folded under while hot, and its significant width facilitated the insertion of ancient medical or cosmetic spatulas.
Height: 9.6 cm Maximum body diameter: 9.1 cm Rim diameter (edge): 7.5 cm Weight: 68 g Estimated capacity: 200–250 ml
Govert Camphuysen (1623/1624-1672) – attributed, Landscape with cattle grazing in front of a hut, oil on board
In front of the village thatched hut, sheep, a cow and a goat are grazing. Next to it, a villager is sleeping under a tree. To the left of the composition, a second scene is visible: a man leading a bull over a small bridge over a stream. In the background is a landscape with trees and gentle hills, and the sky occupies a large part of the painting, building the mood of the whole scene. What draws attention is the exquisite way in which the animals are depicted. This was a specialty of Camphuysen, whose work was inspired by the style of Paulus Potter. Warm, earthy colors dominate - browns, ochres, dim greens and broken yellows. The light is soft, diffused, as if in the early morning or towards evening. The sky has shades of gray, beige and soft pink, suggesting changing weather or impending dusk. The contrast between the bright sky on the left and the darker, more saturated part with the cottage on the right gives the image depth and balance.
Head of an angel (?), sandstone, France, ca. 1300
Head of an Angel (Putta), gilded linden wood, Poland, 1st half of the 18th century.
Heraldic Plaque with Knut and Ślepowron Coats of Arms, Silver, Poland, 17th Century.
Holy Cross monstrance reliquary, gilded bronze, Central Europe, 18th century (ca. 1750)
Rococo reliquary in the form of a monstrance. In the glazed box (ostensorium) there is a cross made of rock crystal, in an openwork silver frame. Inside it are placed relics - small fragments (splinters) from the Holy Cross. On the back of the crystal cross, silk threads are visible, binding the relic to the setting, as well as a lacquer seal imprint.
Gloria (rays) - a richly decorated halo in the form of a radial shield, characteristic of a monstrance. On its perimeter, decorated with rocaillas, colored glasses of ruby and green are set, and the whole is crowned by a small cross with a central red eye.
Instead of a simple geometric form, the nodus is formed of twisted, sigmoidal volutes (shapes resembling the letters "C" and "S") that flow seamlessly from one to the other.
The foot is oval, multi-stepped, decorated with repoussed rocaillas. The reliquary represents high-class artistic craftsmanship; it is most likely preserved in "integral" condition.
Italian (Roman) School, Goddess Roma (Dea Roma / Roma Barberini), oil on canvas, Italy, c. 1760-1800
The painting depicts a frontal, dignified, and majestic portrayal of the Goddess Roma seated on a monumental throne, modeled after the famous 4th-century ancient fresco (“Dea Roma” from the Barberini collection, discovered in Rome in 1655).
The Goddess is depicted in attire reminiscent of traditional Roman tutelary deities. She wears a yellow-gold tunic tied below the breasts with a dark band and a cascading, pink-red cloak (palla). Her head is adorned with a golden parade helmet featuring a magnificent, dense plume of white and dark feathers. Her facial features are idealized, with smooth skin, large eyes, and small lips – reflecting the academic canon of beauty of early Neoclassicism. Classic red Roman sandals (calcei) are visible on her feet.
In her open right hand, the goddess holds aloft a winged figurine of the goddess of victory (Nike), who raises a red banner and holds a golden apple (orb) – a symbol of dominion over the world. With her left hand, Roma leans on a tall, golden scepter. Beside her rests a large, round shield (ancile) with a richly ornamented surface.
At the bottom of the painting, on a gray plinth stylized as antique stone, a meticulously calligraphed inscription in Roman capital script is visible: VIRTVS HONOR IMPERIVM This formulates the triad of Roman state values: Valor (Virtue), Honor, and Sovereign Power (Imperium). The triangular points separating the words (hederae) are a direct reference to classical Latin epigraphy.
Dimensions: 47.5 x 34.5 cm, framed (period frame)