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LOT 0853
Roman Marble Epigraphic Eagle Statue
CIRCA 2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D. OR LATER
6 5/8 in. (9 3/8 in.) (2.75 kg total, 17 cm (24 cm high including stand)).
Standing on a rectangular plinth with folded wings, gripping claws and feather detail to the chest and wings; on the front face of the plinth carved inscription in seriffed capitals 'M TITIO / MAXIM[.] / [.]TER[..]'.
ProvenanceAcquired in the 1990s.
Private collection, Suffolk, UK.
Property of a European gentleman.
Accompanied by a copy of a French cultural passport no.140839.
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AUCTIONS:
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Large Late Roman Sigma-Shaped Marble Offering Table Top
Eastern Mediterranean, 4th-6th century A.D.Estimate: £10,000 - 14,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £2,778
Semi-circular with raised and slightly everted edge, the top with a recessed area with a funnel-shaped outlet; for votive offerings within a church; restored. 84.5 kg including backplate, 91 cm wide
In general good condition, re-assembled.
Acquired in the late 1960s or early 1970s. Ex David Read 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.12080-214035.
Marble tables such as the present example are called in archaeological terms sigma tables, in consideration of their resemblance to the Greek letter sigma. Sigma-shaped tables appeared in the banquet halls at the end of the 4th century and within Christian buildings from the following century. Most of the undecorated slabs were used as liturgical table tops for feasts to honour the deceased. This commemorative practice was known throughout the late Roman world in west and east, where it continued in the daily life of the citizens of the Eastern Roman Empire. In ecclesiastical settings, circular and sigma-shaped tables were used to collect offerings or for celebrating the agape, more generally as secondary furniture, while the rectangular form was preferred for use as an altar. -
Roman and Celtic Artefact Group
1st century B.C.-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
Mixed group including a cosmetic grinder bed, a fish-shaped silver plate broch, a looped rein guide, a La Tène I brooch fragment, trumpet brooch fragment and other items. 127 grams total, 16-54 mm
Acquired since the 1970s. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Roman Bronze Statuette of Attis
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £624
Figure standing with left leg advanced, wearing a simple fringed robe clasped at each shoulder; tight-fitting cap with ridge to the top, abundant hair descending to the shoulders; hands to the hips supporting a quantity of bunches of grapes and other fruit; mounted on a custom-made stand. 137 grams total, 78 mm high 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.
