Roman Mosaic with Pomegranate

Shallow with thickened rim; encrustations to the outer face. 396 grams, 21 cm wide



Acquired early 1990s. Ex private American collection; thence by descent. Private Swiss collection since 1998. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11631-199032. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Restrung group of oblate and other beads. 9.67 grams, 39 cm



Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

At the centre of the mosaic a company of three Nereid-nymphs riding across the sea on the back of two fish-tailed Tritons accompanied by a putto; the Nereids covered only by a red-mauve and cerulean cloak (chlamys) with yellow edges, draped around their legs; one of them waving a garment over her head; fourth Nereid dressed in a long green-blue chiton, with yellow collar and fastened at the waist by a red and yellow belt, offering a phiale to a centaur and waving a long cerulean cloak over her head, the centaur grasping the hem of her cloak and holding a snake in his right hand; the fish tails of the Tritons unfolding in elegant spirals on the seabed; Greek inscriptions with the names of the Nereids ΦΕΡΟΙϹΑ (= Ferousa, the ‘carrier’), ΚΥΜω (Kymo, goddess of the waves), (ΕΥΚ) ΡΑΝΤΗ (Eukrante, the Nereid of the successful voyages and fishing) and probably the name of one of the Triton, ΕΥΟΡΜΟΣ (Euormos, ‘safe harbour for mooring’) or a Roman Age contraction of the name of a fourth Nereid, Euarne, 'the well lambed'; some restoration. 53.1 kg, 162 x 151 cm



From the private collection of V. Colin, Belgium, 1960s. with Ariadne Galleries Inc, New York, 2008. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate no.S00017755, dated 11 September 2008. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. Accompanied by a copy of the Art & Antiques article. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12605-230246. 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.

The thiasos theme with marine cycles was very popular in the Hellenistic and Roman times. In the late Roman period, especially in the Greek speaking Eastern provinces of the Empire, the mythological subjects of heroes and goddesses multiplied in the rich villas and public buildings, like basilicas and thermae (public baths).