Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 0155
Large Late Roman Mosaic with Inlaid Glass Birds
6TH CENTURY A.D.
83 1/2 x 80 3/4 in. (2.12 x 2.05 m).
Rectangular panel of decorative mosaic tesserae comprising: wave pattern border in cream and graduated blue-grey tesserae with darker outer edge; inner border of graduated maroon and dark blue-grey tesserae; central field with two inner rows of four and two outer rows of five parakeets in various standing and perching poses, each formed from blue and green glass tesserae with white, crimson and other detailing to the eye, beak and chest; embedded in a sturdy steel-framed matrix of traditional mid 20th century type.
Provenance
with Leon Simard, 1960s, Montreal, Canada.
Archaeologia Gallery, 1980s.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12966-244460.
Literature
Cf. very similar mosaic in Louvre, inventory nos. MND 1950; Ma 3459, in Kondoleon, C. (ed.), Antioch : the lost ancient city, cat. exp. (Publié à l'occasion de l'exposition Antioch : the lost ancient city, Worcester art museum 7 octobre 2000-4 février 2001, Cleveland art museum 18 mars-3 juin 2001, Baltimore museum of art 16 septembre-30 décembre 2001), Princeton, N. J., Princeton University Press, 2000, pp. 136, 137, n° 25.
Footnotes
The design of repeated birds against a neutral field is similar to patterns found on Late Roman and Sassanian textiles of roughly the same date, especially silk and wool textiles woven on more mechanised looms. Birds of all varieties appear frequently in floor mosaics and other arts of the Roman period; however, beribboned birds are rare.
CONDITIONVETTING:
TimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
RELATED LOTS
-
Roman Silver Crossbow Brooch
Circa 4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
With barrel-shaped knops with collar beneath to the ends of the headplate and medially along the top edge; deep trapezoidal-section bow with median gusset and notch detailing; D-section footplate with chamfered sides open to one edge, its upper face of the bow with notched detailing; hinged pin to reverse. 15.3 grams, 54 mm
From a private Tyneside collection, formed since the early 2000s. -
Roman Bronze Ring with Wheat Stalk
Circa 2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Comprising a D-section hoop with angled shoulders, oval bezel with a wheat stalk. 7.96 grams, 26.65 mm overall, 19.25 x 16.32 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N, USA 6 1/2, Europe 13.72, Japan 13)
From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s. -
Roman White Elongated Glass Date Flask
1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £598
Mould-blown with elliptical body, short neck and thick everted rim, with modelled wrinkles. 13 grams, 10.5 cm (46 grams total, 12 cm including stand)
From an important glass collection, London, UK, 1980-1990.
Bottles shaped like dates are among the most common varieties of 1st century mould-blows vessels. Examples have been discovered in most part of the Roman Empire, with a concentration of finds in the Eastern Mediterranean.
