Roman Alabaster Bowl

Modelled in relief with openwork elements, stylised detailing to both figures; hollow reverse. 182 grams, 10.2 cm high



Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.

Hollow cast bronze images of Eros riding a lion are linked to the Eastern Levant and have been found for example in Tamna, probably a Roman import. The importance of long-distance contacts within the Eastern Mediterranean areas was rapidly reflected in provincial artistic styles, probably as soon as in Hellenistic times, at the beginning of the third century B.C., possibly even earlier. The unquestionable Greek influence led a number of scholars to define three main styles for the bronzes discovered in the eastern Roman provinces: a local type and iconography locally produced, Greek or Roman imports, and Oriental, Hellenistic, or Roman style, locally produced.

With reserved classical profile female bust wearing a crested Corinthian helmet, and a stola fastened on the shoulder by a disc brooch, small mask (gorgoneion) to the breast; reverse degraded. 19 grams, 42 mm



UK private collection, 1980s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11960-209860.

Standing with its left foreleg raised, the head held high and turned slightly left with a full, fleshy dewlap cascading to the brisket; the tail looping over the rump, with its end adhering to the left flank; wide-open eyes and flaring nostrils; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 106 grams, 72 mm wide (207 grams total, 91 mm high including stand)



Acquired from Charles Ede Ltd., London, UK, in 2004. From the collection of a South West London, UK, collector.

After the Roman annexation of Egypt, Egyptian cults such as that of the Apis bull were syncretised, becoming part of a distinctively Egyptian form of Roman polytheism. Representations of prancing Apis bulls, turned either left or right, have been found throughout the Roman empire. Various parallels can be found in the Cincinnati Art Museum (inv.1956.13), in Walters Art Gallery (inv.54.1565) and in the British Museum.