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LOT 0964
Roman Mosaic Stone Tesserae Group
1ST-4TH CENTURY A.D.
1/4 - 1/2 in. (361 grams total, 8-12 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.
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 (plural 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 Red Marble Thumb Pestle
3rd-6th century A.D.Estimate: £1,000 - 1,400 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £540
Pestle or grinding tool, the handle formed as a thumb with knuckle and nail detailing; old collector's label '2' to underside. 312 grams, 12 cm
Ex private collection, Mrs L.S., 1980s. Acquired from the above, 1999. Private European collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12096-218201.
Such items were mainly used by medical staff for grinding ingredients such as medicinal compounds, cosmetics and culinary spices. -
Roman Iridescent Glass Cosmetic Flask with Spiral Trail
3rd-4th century A.D.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £110
Bulbous body with long funicular neck and everted rim, applied strap handles to the top, applied spiral decoration to the body. 14.6 grams, 76 mm
Ex London gallery, UK, 1986. Ex private UK collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Small cosmetic flasks with tubular bodies, conical feet and trailed decoration were a common product of the Syro-Palestinian workshops in the Eastern Roman Empire, during the 4th-5th century A.D. Many such vessels had elaborate basket-handles, from which they could be suspended. -
Roman Bronze Penannular Brooch
3rd-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Diamond-section penannular body with scrolled finials and a round-section tapering pin. 4.12 grams, 35 mm
Ex European collection, 1990s. Ex Cambridgeshire, UK, collection.
