Roman Sheet-Gold Pyxis Mount with Gods

3rd-4th century AD. A gold-sheet pyxis covering, elaborately decorated and embossed in repoussé with the images of the Olympian gods, represented under arched volutes divided from spiral columns: Demeter, Helios with radiate crown, Athena and Hera (Latin Ceres, Apollo, Minerva and Juno); holes on the edge for fastening. For a similarly embossed pyxis in silver found in Draguignan (France) see Brun, J.P., Carte archéologique de la Gaule, Paris, 1999, pl.83 no.1; for examples in gold with images of the gods in repoussé see Yavtushenko, I. ed., Masterpieces of Platar, Kiev, 2004, p.94. 5.03 grams, 32mm (1 1/4"). Property of a gentleman from Vienna; from his private collection formed since 1970. The pyxis (?????), was a casket, usually used as jewellery box (Mart. 9.38), but also as a small box for holding drugs or poisons (Cic. pro Cael, 25, 61; Quint. Inst. 6.3, 25"). Gold pyxides are extremely rare. This item would, in all likelihood, have belonged to a wealthy and high-status woman of the Late Roman Empire. [No Reserve] For this specific lot, 5% import VAT is applicable on the hammer price
Condition Report: Fine condition.