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LOT 0812
Roman Historic Cut & Polished Porphyry Slice Group
1ST-5TH CENTURY A.D. AND LATER
2 7/8 - 4 in. (82.8 grams total, 7.2-10.1 cm).
Comprising three lacquered porphyry slices of rectangular shape, cut on both faces and polished on one face; probably from recycled material mined in ancient Roman times between the 1st and 5th century A.D.; intended for use as inlay panels.
ProvenanceFrom Egypt.
Ex Mineral Imports, London, UK.
Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd (Gregory's).
Mons Porphyrites (today Jabal Abu Dukhkhan) is the mountainous site of a group of ancient quarries in the Red Sea Hills of the inhospitable eastern desert in Egypt, a five day trip from the Nile during Roman times. They were discovered by Caius Cominus Leugas in 18 A.D., and during the Roman Empire the mines officially belonged to the emperor and were the only known source of the Imperial Porphyry, Mons Porphyrites. This dark purple stone was associated with royalty and used for prestigious sculpture and architecture. The location of the mines was lost some time in the 5th century, and rediscovered in the early 19th century. Excavations in the area have revealed the well-preserved quarries and the dwelling places of the quarry men, and also thousands of ostraca have been discovered containing messages that provide details of how the quarrying took place, and of how the highly skilled quarrymen ordered their food.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0812
Roman Historic Cut & Polished Porphyry Slice Group
Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
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Roman Bronze Ram's Head Terminal
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Hollow-formed with ribbed mouth to the socket. ram-head finial with swept horns, pierced to accept an attachment stud. 43.1 grams, 44 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
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Roman Bronze Neptune Statuette
1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £39
Standing nude with arms raised, legs in advancing pose. 37 grams, 60 mm
From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.
The condition of the statuette does not allow a easy identification of its original characterization, but the position of the body shows a certain affinity with provincial statuettes of the god Neptune, especially produced in Gallo-Roman ateliers. Some statuettes of Sucellus, the Gallic divinity assimilated into the Roman Pantheon as the equivalent of the Dispater, brother of Jupiter, could possibly also bear resemblance with our statuette for the position of the body. -
Roman Bronze Head of Silenus Applique
1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
Modelled in the round with open reverse at the shoulders and chest; the bearded head turned towards the left shoulder, the hair decorated with a wreath of leaves, a goatskin mantle fastened below the right shoulder; the eye sockets set deep into the surface; mounted on a custom-made stand. 214 grams total, 11.7 cm including stand
From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.
