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LOT 0614
Roman Mosaic Stone Tesserae Group
1ST-4TH CENTURY A.D.
3/8 - 1/2 in. (336 grams total, 9-12 mm).
A mixed group of two hundred and fifty single tesserae of various colours and sizes, mostly cuboid. [250, No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom 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.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
For similar tesserae see Gabucci, A., Pejrani Baricco, L., Ratto, S., Per il Museo di Ivrea, La sezione archeologica del Museo Civico P.A. Garda, Sesto Fiorentino, 2014, cover, mosaic from a Domus of Eporedia.
FootnotesRoman mosaics were made from small cubes of natural stone and terracotta possibly cut from tile or brick. Each of these small cubes was called a tessera (several tesserae) from the Latin word for dice.
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 Bow Brooch Group
Circa 2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
Comprising: knee brooch with chord and pin; slender Polden Hill type with hole to the catchplate. 14.1 grams total, 34-51 mm
Acquired on the UK art market before 2000. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Roman Terracotta Oil Lamp Group
Circa 2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Comprising: one in greyware with broad shoulder, facing mask to the discus; one squat with beaded rim to the discus, old collector's note 'Ancient Roman / very finely preserved lamp / in red "Samian" ware / 2nd century / Excavated at Dunnour Essex / Quite perfect + of rare style / From the Page collection'. 145 grams total, 9.9-10.7 cm
Believed to have been part of the Duke of Northumberland collection. From an early 20th century collection with reference no.67/6. From a Hampshire, UK, private collection. Accompanied be an early 20th century inked information packet. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Roman Enamelled Bronze Brooch
2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
Of Wirral type, the bow with three raised vertical panels with alternating enamelled cells in each panel, central panel with some blue enamel, the side panels with yellow enamel; rounded foot; pin and hinge absent. 13.09 grams, 54 mm
Found Thornton, Sefton, Merseyside, UK, in 2014. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.LVPL-BFF3DB. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
The Wirral brooch is thought to have been derived from the trumpet brooch, and is called such as the earliest discovery of this type was from the Wirral. It is now thought that the main, and possibly only, production site was based in Wirral.