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LOT 0777
Roman Mosaic Stone Tesserae Group
1ST-4TH CENTURY A.D.
1/4 - 1 in. (95 grams total, 7-24 mm).
A mixed group of tesserae of various colours and sizes, mostly cuboid. [45, No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the collection of a late East Anglian teacher and antiquarian who retired to the Isle of Wight in Hampshire, UK; he amassed a large collection of objects between the 1960s-1980s.
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 (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 Mosaic Stone Tesserae Group
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £624
A mixed group of two hundred and fifty single tesserae of various colours and sizes, mostly cuboid. 357 grams total, 8-13 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. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
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 (several tesserae) from the Latin word for dice. -
Roman Enamelled Bronze Plate Brooch Group
2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
Comprising: discoid type with central trumpet-shaped stud, enamelled cells, pin and catch to reverse; conical type with carinated rim, central stud, triangular cells for enamel inlay. 20.45 grams total, 27-34 mm
Acquired on the London art market in the late 1980s-1990s. From the family collection of an East London, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Late Roman Gold Ring with Engraved Bezel
Iberia, 4th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,580
Flat-section hoop and disc bezel, scrolled tendril border and stylised gryphon. 1.78 grams, 17.72 mm overall, 15.63 mm internal diameter (approximate size British H, USA 3 3/4, Europe 6.18, Japan 6)
Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
