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LOT 0609
Roman 'Pompeii Red' Fresco Wallplaster
1ST CENTURY A.D.
4 1/2 in. (234 grams, 11.3 cm).
Fragment of wall plaster with rendered surface painted red with yellow and white detailing to the edge; impression of timber laths to the reverse; old inked inscription: 'SIDI BOU ALI' to verso. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired early 1900s.
Swiss family collection.
Acquired at Birmingham Coin & Antiquities Fair, circa 2004.
Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK.
Cf. Boislève, J., Dardenay, A., Monier, F., Peintures et stucs d’époque romaine. Révéler l’architecture par l’étude du décor, Paris, 2014, fig.6, for similar.
FootnotesThe ancient city of Sousse (today Sidi Bou Ali) was the Roman centre of Ulssipira, famous for its wonderful mosaics. However, as across Roman Tunisia, remains of frescoed houses have also been preserved. The ‘Pompeian red’ was used for walls as well as columns, such as those in the ‘house of the red columns’, Acholla, where the peristyle was formed by a narrow courtyard with stuccoed columns painted red.
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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Romano-British Castor Ware and Other Sherd Group
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Mixed group of sherds, many with inked reference number, and collector's display cards including 'Sherd of calcite gritted bowl. Indented rim. Colchester kilns. 4th Cent.', 'NENE VALLEY / NVCIO', 'Col' for Colchester, 'CANVEY ISLAND / CC/6', 'MG/105 / CAMBRIDGE / P.', LONDON / CC/27', 'TINKERS LANE / ROCHFORD / CC/26'. 804 grams total, 2.5-10 cm
Found UK. From 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. Accompanied by handwritten information display cards. -
Roman Bone Pyxis with Lion Heads
Circa 1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £715
Carved with thick rim to each end, ogee above the base and double band beneath the mouth; two facing lion masks modelled in high-relief, each with gaping jaws and a ring held between the jaws; disc to the base, domed lid. 39.7 grams, 71 mm
From the old collection of Colonel Ronde, circa 1980s. Property of a French collector. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12094-214901.
According to archaeologists, the pyxis could have served as a container for cosmetics, medicinal ointments, or perfume. Soldiers’ posessions often included carved vessels and lathe-turned bowls, spoons, spatulas, knives, discs and lids, as well as pyxides, which have been found in high numbers in military camps. -
Roman Oil Lamp with Pegasus
1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
Squat lamp with broad body and volutes flanking the nozzle, recessed discus with low-relief image of winged horse; maker's mark to obverse, 'T' with pellet finials. 69 grams, 10.6 cm
Ex Arizona collection. with Artemis Gallery, Louisville, Colorado, 2014. Property of a North London collector. Accompanied by an Artemis certificate of authenticity dated 28 July 2014.
