Byzantine Bronze Trade Weight

Featuring tongue-shaped decorative elements and geometric and foliate motifs; formed as an opposed pair of capital 'M' characters; on the reverse two attachment loops. 3.36 grams, 34 mm



Acquired in the 1990s. Private collection, Suffolk, UK.

The letter M is probably intended for 'Maria'.

Recalling workmanship similar to that found in the floor of the Sistine Chapel, comprising a large central panel with a design of alternating green and speckled porphyry lozenges, with interstitial green and porphyry squares flanked by a green or porphyry triangle on each edge; border of plain marble and outer band of green and porphyry roundels made up from vesica-shaped panels with inset squares and triangles. 23.5 kg, 53.5 cm



French gallery, Paris, 1990s. From a family collection. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.203555.

The Cosmatesque style was a characteristic type of ornamentation of Eastern Roman origin (opus alexandrinum) used by post-Roman marble makers of the 12th and 13th centuries A.D. It embellishes the floors, ciboria and cloisters of churches by means of polychrome marble inlays of varied and imaginative geometric shapes. The wider use of this decoration began in the 12th century, at which time techniques were improved: the Cosmati floors were made with pieces of stone cut in various shapes and sizes, a property quite different from the mosaics in opus tessellatum, in which the motifs were made from small units all having the same size and shape, or from the opus sectile, intended to create representations with pieces of multi-coloured marble cut out and arranged for this purpose. The stones used by Cosmati artists were often material salvaged from the ruins of ancient Roman buildings. The composition of such mosaics recalls the floors of the most important churches of Rome; in addition to the floor of the Sistine Chapel (created probably in the 14th century for the previous building or Cappella Maggiore), one can cite that of Santa Maria Maggiore (1145-1153 A.D.), San Giovanni in Laterano (14th century A.D.), Saint Clement (1099-1120 A.D.), Santi Quattro Coronati (13th century A.D.), Santa Croce in Gerusalemme (12th century A.D.) and many others. The same technique (but differing in its design, materials and motifs) was used to create the Cosmati pavement in Westminster Abbey, where the king rests during the coronation ceremony. The pavement has undergone a major cleaning and conservation programme and was re-dedicated by the Dean at a service on 21st May 2010.

Ribbed shoulders, raised trumpet-shaped bezel with incuse stylised peacock. 4.32 grams, 25.01 mm overall, 17.84 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P 1/2, USA 7 3/4, Europe 16.86, Japan 16)



Private collection formed since the 1940s. UK art market. Property of an Essex gentleman.