Roman Samian Ware Dish Fragments one with Ancient Repairs

Modelled in the round with naturalistic detailing, lying prone with paws forward. 44.5 grams, 42 mm long



‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection.

The oval intaglio engraved with two winged Victories, facing each other in profile, wearing long garments crossed on the breast like a trabea consularis, both holding a staff-standard with a double forked tip. 1.64 grams, 17 mm



Acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Important North West London collection.

The iconography of two Victories facing each other is clearly from Late Antiquity and reflects the images of the two victorious empires - East and West - that, transformed into winged Nikes, are holding together the standard with the chi-rho (the two Greek letters forming the initials of the name of Christ), conceived as a long shaft topped by the Greek letter P (R) and the superimposed letter X.

Modelled in the round in a pointing gesture, with semi-naturalistic anatomical and nail detailing; hollow-formed with a piercing through the palm; tip of index finger lost in antiquity. 169 grams, 73 mm



Acquired on the UK art market, 1982-1989.