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LOT 0229
Monumental Byzantine Limestone Chi Rho Roundel
CIRCA 6TH-8TH CENTURY A.D.
31 1/4 in. (84 kg total, 77 cm high including stand).
Divided into six sections by Christogram letters chi and rho, two of the segments with Greek letters alpha and omega, the other four segments with floral ornaments; a laurel wreath to the edge; mounted on a custom-made display stand.
ProvenanceFrom a German collection.
Acquired from Germany in 2010.
Ex London, UK, 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.11928-209561.
Cf. Mendel, G., Catalogue des sculptures grecques, romaines et byzantines, Constantinople, 1914, nos.722-723 (2398-2249), vol.II, pp.519-520; 1174 (823) p.417; Grabar, A., L’etá d’oro di Giustiniano, (The Golden Age of Justinian), Milan, 1966, figs.255, 288, 296; for an item in similar style, but with a simple cross and leaves, see also the Metropolitan Museum of Arts, accession no.10.175.89.
FootnotesThis monumental sculpture was probably affixed at the top of a church façade, a type of decoration also used in the Western Romanesque art during the Middle Ages (see the sculpted Chi Rho monogram at the Monastery of San Juan de la Pena, Spain). The presence of letters alpha and omega shows a powerful link with the Christian cult, especially as the two letters are incised beside the Chi Rho. These letters are symbols of eternity of Jesus: in the final verses of the Bible, Jesus describes himself as the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End (Revelation, 22.13).
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LOT 0229
Monumental Byzantine Limestone Chi Rho Roundel
Sold for (Inc. bp): £36,400
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Byzantine Bronze Openwork Bell
Circa 10th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Conical profile with thick suspension loop, circumferential ribs, five square slots above the mouth. 108 grams, 63 mm
Ex old English collection. London art market, pre 2000. Property of a London, UK, gentleman. -
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Byzantine Oil Lamp Group
5th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £416
Group of two bronze lamps comprising: one with heart-shaped body, squat nozzle with recessed disc finial, hinged lid shaped as a scallop, basal disc with square hole to accept a stand, two curled arms at the rear forming the handle with thumb-pad formed as a perching bird; one slipper-shaped with ovoid nozzle, scooped conical lid with regular piercings, piriform basal ring, curved arm to the rear developing to a leaf-shaped reflector. 748 grams total, 10-14.5 cm
Collected from the 1950s-1980s by a distinguished university professor who served as Department Head, Dean and Vice President for a major university. Ex Emeritus collection, North America. Accompanied by a copy of a Spanish export licence. -
Byzantine Bronze Buckle Plate with Christ and Saints
Circa 6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
Comprising tongue-shaped plaque with three low-relief busts within scrollwork; two pierced lugs on the reverse. 13.5 grams, 40 mm
From a 1990s collection. Property of an Essex gentleman.
The type belongs to the group of buckles with internal clipeus, according to Baldini-Lippolis. The ‘clipei’ of the belt buckles with figurative motifs show a rather summary rendering of the subjects, which were mainly created by impressing and engraving. Our buckle has a notable parallel with a similar specimen from Baltimore, with a bust of Christ on the clipeus.
