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Roman Gold Pendant 'Leporis' (3rd-4th c. AD)
€1.600,00
Material:
- Gold
Era:
- Roman
Rarity:
- Uncommon
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30-day return policy
Shipping & delivery times
Every piece ships from Belgium, fully insured and tracked, with its certificate of authenticity.
European Union
- Shipping is free, insured and tracked.
- Dispatched within 1–3 business days, delivered 1–3 business days later.
Outside the EU
- Shipping is a flat €95 per order, however many pieces. It covers the EU export licence and insured DHL Express (2–5 business days after dispatch).
- Every antiquity leaving the EU needs an official EU export licence. We apply for it on your behalf (included in the €95); approval takes about 3 weeks before dispatch. The licence travels with the piece and stays part of its provenance.
- Import duties and taxes are not included. They are charged on top by your country's customs.
How the export licence works · Questions before you order? Write to us and we will confirm your delivery timeline within 24 hours.
Description
A remarkably rare Roman gold pendant depicting a reclining rabbit, crafted in high karat gold with softly modeled, hammered contours. The animal is shown in a compact, recumbent pose with rounded haunches, a defined brow, and delicately indicated ears. A neatly forged suspension loop rises from the back, allowing the piece to be worn as a personal charm or luxurious amulet. Miniature gold animal pendants of this quality were prized throughout the late Roman world, symbolizing vitality, good fortune, and gentle domesticity.
This example is exceptionally well preserved, its surfaces retaining the rich, warm sheen characteristic of ancient high-purity gold. Pieces of this subject and craftsmanship are seldom encountered on the market, especially with such distinguished provenance.
Details
Material: High karat gold
Date: Roman Empire, 3rd–4th century AD
Dimensions: 15 mm x 13 mm
Weight: 1.5 g
Provenance: Private UK collection; formerly the collection of Mr. R. Unger; earlier with a London gallery; acquired on the UK art market in the 1970s
Unique Identifier: P-29-G
Condition: Excellent ancient condition with natural surface softness typical of high-karat hammered gold
Restoration and Authenticity
Presented in untouched condition, with only gentle preservation cleaning. No modern repairs. A Certificate of Authenticity is included.
Historical Context
In late Roman society, gold animal pendants were intimate luxury objects worn for both charm and symbolism. Rabbits and hares appear in Roman art as emblems of fertility, renewal, and domestic prosperity. Small sculptural pendants like this were often gifted as protective tokens or worn discreetly on necklaces by individuals of means. This piece stands as a refined example of Roman miniature goldwork, combining personal symbolism with elegant craftsmanship.
Care
To maintain the beauty and integrity of your purchase, we recommend treating it with care. Simple maintenance practices, such as gentle washing and proper storage, can effectively preserve the longevity of your favorites. We encourage you to refer to the care instructions included with each item, designed to help you keep your purchase in top condition.
Authenticity
Each artifact we offer has been carefully examined by qualified professionals to ensure its authenticity. Our assessment considers historical style, craftsmanship, materials, and the wider typology of comparable pieces.
Because historical scholarship evolves, we offer a lifelong authenticity guarantee: if two independent, accredited laboratories ever determine that an item is not genuine, we will refund you in full.
What size is this ring?
The EU size of this ring is:
The US size of this ring is:
You can find information about ring sizes and how to determine your own, here.