3rd century AD. A rectangular lead panel fragment of a child's sarcophagus with ropework border to the upper edge and fluted column to the left edge; raised religious imagery including a central mask of Dionysus flanked by vineleaves and S-curled dolphins in profile, facing bearded mask of Silenus above and willow leaf below; mounted on a custom-made wooden stand. See McCann, A.M., Roman Sarcophagi in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1978; M. Myth, Meaning, and Memory on Roman Sarcophagi, Berkeley: University of California Press, 1995. 3.2 kg total, 26cm including stand (10 1/4"). From the private collection of Antony John Scammell (1937-2019); acquired from Phoenician Holyland Antiquities, New York, USA, in 2015; accompanied by the original certificate of authenticity and import receipt. The quality of the work shows that it belongs to a sarcophagus of remarkable quality, probably of a wealthy family's child. The figures stand out in low relief, but emerge thanks to effects of contrasts of light and shade. Antony John Scammell (1937-2019) was born, and lived his entire life, in the city of Bristol, England. Already from an early age he was enthralled by history and the heroes that it created. While serving overseas with the British Army, Antony began collecting coins and banknotes and this led to collecting a variety of different items throughout his life. From the early 1960s onward, Antony invested in acquiring ancient artefacts. Antony's vast collections started with Egyptian antiquities, but soon branched into Greek and Roman civilisations. The Roman civilisation fascinated him most and, when family commitments allowed, archaeological digs were coordinated in the west of England. These digs uncovered numerous artefacts, many of which were donated to local museums. In retirement, the collecting continued apace, branching into UK coins, British Empire banknotes and fossils.