LOT 0174

Byzantine Gilt Bronze Bowl with Religious Scenes

CIRCA 5TH-6TH CENTURY A.D. OR LATER

9 in. (1.02 kg, 23 cm wide).

Of squat profile with flared base and drop handle; running tendril bands to the shoulder and base, gilt-inlaid frieze depicting the seated robed figure of Christ holding a staff between two palm trees in a landscape inhabited by a bear, leaping goat, frog, cockerel, hen, eagle, horse, hounds, sheep, lioness, snake, rabbit, duck, boar cow; trees in the background with birds perching on the branches; central roundel with Chi Rho, alpha and omega; handle with vine tendrils flanked by pellet clusters, saltire to the centre.

From the family collection of Mr E.L. (1915-1991), who collected antiquities from the 1940s, thence by descent.
Ex J.L. collection, Surrey, UK.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12059-213551.

Cf. comparable examples in the Vrap treasure in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession no. 17.190.1707; Aimone, M., The Wyvern collection, Byzantine and Sasanian Silver, Enamels and Works of Art, London, 2020, cat.no.28, pp.112-113.

The frieze is full of Christian symbolism, mainly concentrated on the image of the good shepherd (Christ) depicted according to the model visible in the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna and shown on the opposite side of the central roundel. Jesus is represented in a landscape suffused with peace, full of plants and flowers; he has a serene expression and is depicted beardless and surrounded by six sheep. Its clear allusive meaning is that only through Christ can eternal peace be achieved. Another part probably represents the Tree of Life with an array of animals. The vessel probably had a liturgical use, perhaps for the ritual washing of feet during the Easter celebrations or for the blessing of the faithful.