Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 0757
Roman Mosaic Stone Tesserae Group
1ST-4TH CENTURY A.D.
1/4 - 1/2 in. (350 grams total, 7-14 mm).
A mixed group of two hundred and fifty single tesserae of various colours and sizes, mostly cuboid. [250, No Reserve]
Provenance
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.
Literature
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.
Footnotes
Roman 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.
CONDITIONVETTING:
TimeLine 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:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
RELATED LOTS
-
Roman Rock Crystal Sleeping Dog
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,860
Carved in the round model of a recumbent canine with head resting on the forelegs; leaf-shaped ears, and deep-set eyes. 14.2 grams, 40 mm
Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12588-232168.
The small rock crystal sculpture is modelled on similar figures representing sleeping hunting dogs. The subject occurs in cameos, plastic vases, as well as in lamps. These images have symbolic value, implying something of the fidelity of the dogs they depict, as well as their bravery and dependability as guardians. -
Roman Mosaic Stone Tesserae Group
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
A mixed group of two hundred and fifty single tesserae of various colours and sizes, mostly cuboid. 350 grams total, 7-14 mm
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.
Roman 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. -
Roman Bone Dice Pair
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
Each cuboid with incised ring-and-dot motifs disposed 1:6, 2:5, 3:4 and 1:2, 3:?, 5:?. 2.82 grams total, 8 x 9 mm
From a collection of gaming items, formed 1980-1990s.