Roman Redware Pottery Sherd with Achilles and Thetis

4TH-5TH CENTURY A.D.

7 in. (202 grams, 18 cm).

From the upper part of a vessel, displaying a frieze of profile images and figural scenes from Graeco-Roman mythology: a musician in late Roman garments playing a harp (Orpheus?), a seated woman weaving with a distaff in her hand (Penelope?), a kneeling naked woman imploring a naked warrior fighting with shield and spear (Achilles and Thetis?). [No Reserve]

Provenance

Acquired 1960s-1990s.
From the late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.

Literature

Cf. Beutler, F. et al., Der Adler Roms. Carnuntum und die Armee der Cäsaren, Bad-Deutsch-Altenburg, 2017, item 697, for a frieze in similar style.

Footnotes

This terra sigillata fragment appears to have been part of a large tray. Elements of dying paganism were still used to celebrate the deeds of the new imperial heroes. Note the detailed late Roman clothing of the harpist, with a chlamys-paludamentum on the right shoulder and the tunic decorated with clavi and orbiculi.

CONDITION

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LOT 0688