Circa 1st century B.C.-1st century A.D. Carved with thick rim to each end, ogee above the base and double band beneath the mouth; two facing lion masks modelled in high-relief, each with gaping jaws and a ring held between the jaws; disc to the base, domed lid. Cf. similar pyxis in style with a putto in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, accession number: 23.160.61a, b. 39.7 grams, 71 mm (2 3/4 in.).

From the old collection of Colonel Ronde, circa 1980s. Property of a French collector. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12094-214901.

According to archaeologists, the pyxis could have served as a container for cosmetics, medicinal ointments, or perfume. Soldiers’ posessions often included carved vessels and lathe-turned bowls, spoons, spatulas, knives, discs and lids, as well as pyxides, which have been found in high numbers in military camps.[No Reserve]