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LOT 0602
Roman Historic Cut & Polished Porphyry Slice Group
1ST-5TH CENTURY A.D. AND LATER
2 1/4 - 4 3/4 in. (81 grams total, 5.8-12.2 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. [3]
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.
CONDITIONTimeLine 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:
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Roman Bronze Grotesque Figure with Paenula
2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £468
Hollow-formed with short hair and a beret, wearing a paenula military cloak extending to the hips; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 110 grams total, 90 mm 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.
Telesphorus, dressed in the Gallo-Roman manner with the long hooded military cloak (folded on his back), was the subject of many votive statuettes in Roman Gaul. Son of Aesculapius, god of medicine, he certainly had a connection with the world of healing and medical care, and was associated with his sister Hygeia. He belonged to the Celtic pantheon and was spread to the East by the Galatians of Asia Minor. His cult then spread to the West, particularly in the Hadrianic period, as attested by his images found on the Wall at Birdoswald. -
Roman Terracotta Oil Lamp Group
2nd-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
Each of low profile with stub nozzle and large filler hole. 122 grams total, 73-86 mm
From the H.N. collection, Milton Keynes, Berkshire, UK, 1990s. -
Roman and Later Artefact Group
3rd-17th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £39
Comprising: an annular bracelet with linear decoration; four spherical buttons; an openwork mount; a large mount with a central face mask; a polished mirror insert fragment; a casket leg formed as lion's paw; a pin with iron stem; and a hook. 179 grams total, 1.3-12 cm
Property of the vendor's grandfather, thence by family descent, circa 1985. From the private collection of a New York, USA gentleman.
