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LOT 0626
Roman Terracotta Frieze Fragment with Bird
3RD CENTURY A.D.
5 in. (643 grams, 12.5 cm).
Showing the figure of a bird enclosed inside a medallion, with edges decorated with a foliage, moulded grooves in the upper part, remains of red pigment on the dividing space. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired from Millon Arts D'Orient, with lot sticker.
Property of a Ruislip, UK, gentleman, by inheritance.
Cf. Gabucci, A. (Ed.), Zenobia,il sogno di una regina d'oriente, Milano, 2002, fig.91, for similar tondo with friezes.
FootnotesThe motif of a bird enclosed in a roundel draws inspiration from Parthian and Sassanid art, and decorated the ceilings of Roman Hellenistic tombs and temples of the Roman East. Our fragment could have been part of the polychrome stucco decoration of the ceiling of a tomb, or a square insert in a temple building. It certainly had to be painted in showy colours, of which clear traces remain in the amaranth red on the right of the fragment and in the pink and blue traces visible on the bird.
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AUCTIONS:
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Roman Terracotta Lion Rhyton
Late 2nd-early 3rd century A.D.Estimate: £6,000 - 8,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £3,000
Modelled naturalistically in the round in an advancing pose with face, muzzle and tooth detailing within the open mouth, the tufts of the animal's mature mane individually rendered; filling hole on the back; the mouth open acting as a spout; North African workmanship; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 1.5 kg total, 20.5 cm high including stand
with Sotheby’s London, 9 December 1994, lot 221. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. Accompanied by copies of relevant Sotheby's catalogue pages. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11797-206532.
The lion was famously featured in many ancient myths, perhaps the most famous being that of Hercules (Herakles) slaying the Nemean lion for his first labour, but it was also linked with the cult of the goddess Cybele, where it is usually represented sculptured in relief on either side of her throne. -
Roman Fresco Painted Wall Plaster Collection
1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
With painted designs in white, brown, claret, crimson and blue. 686 grams total, 7.1-10 cm
Acquired in the 19th century. Ex Jeger collection, Switzerland. -
Roman Bronze Bearded Philosopher Mount
Circa 2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Displaying the bald pate and bearded face of a Roman intellectual in profile right. 3.33 grams, 25 mm
Found Essex, UK, before 2010.
