Roman Mosaic Stone Tesserae Group

Squat piriform profile with hatched shoulders, raised amphora motif to the discus, stub nozzle, flange handle; 'V' maker's mark to underside; waxed and polished. 152 grams, 11.1 cm



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.

Including bust of Victory pendant, tanged arrowhead, rosette belt slider, finger rings and other items. 145 grams total, 17-99 mm



Ex Nigel Mills, London, UK.

From the upper part of a vessel, displaying a frieze of profile images and figural scenes from Graeco-Roman mythology: a musician in late Roman garments playing a harp (Orpheus?), a seated woman weaving with a distaff in her hand (Penelope?), a kneeling naked woman imploring a naked warrior fighting with shield and spear (Achilles and Thetis?). 202 grams, 18 cm



Acquired 1960s-1990s. From the late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.

This terra sigillata fragment appears to have been part of a large tray. Elements of dying paganism were still used to celebrate the deeds of the new imperial heroes. Note the detailed late Roman clothing of the harpist, with a chlamys-paludamentum on the right shoulder and the tunic decorated with clavi and orbiculi.