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LOT 0947
Roman Redware Pottery Sherd with Olive Tree
CIRCA 4TH-5TH CENTURY A.D.
6 3/4 in. (87 grams, 17 cm).
Comprising a large edge section with impressed olive tree, with details of branches, fruit and foliage. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 1960s-1990s.
From the late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.
For similar foliage and vegetal applique on terra sigillata see Mackensen, M., 'The study of 3rd century African red slip ware based on the eividence from Tunisia' in Malfitana, D., Poblome, J. and Lund, J., Innovating Perspectives on Roman Pottery Studies, Atti del Convegno Internazionale di Studi Catania, 22-24 Aprile 2004, Catania, 2006, pp.105-124, fig.13.
FootnotesThe representation of an olive tree on this sigillata is not casual. In the early Imperial period the export of the Adriatic olive oil, following the amber road, moved from Aquileia to the provinces of Roman Pannonia. During the 3rd century, the production of the Spanish olive oil reached the Northern Roman provinces. Olives were transported in particular amphorae and served with specific vessels, distinguishing the black olives (olivae nerae) from the white olives (olivae albae).
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Roman Votive Hand to God Sabazios
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £910
Hollow-formed right hand from a statuette, with fingers splayed and flat palm, good anatomical detailing. 362 grams, 12.1 cm
Private collection 1990s. Ex London, UK, gallery.
The votive character of the hand could link it to the God Sabazios, often associated with a number of archaeological finds depicting a bronze, right hand in the benedictio latina gesture. The hand appears to have had ritual significance and may have been affixed to a sceptre (as the one carried by Sabazios on a slab, one from Philippopolis, nowadays Plovdiv in Bulgaria). The association with Sabazios is sometimes suggested in similar hands, by the presence of a snake embossed around the circumference of the hand, because the iconic image of the god or hero on horseback battling the chthonic serpent, appears on Celtic-Roman votive columns, and with the coming of Christianity it was easily adapted to the representations of Saint George fighting the Dragon.
