Roman Terracotta Trulla

Of roughly spherical form, opaque polychrome checked design incorporating two stylised human faces. 1.34 grams, 10 mm



Ex private collection, 1980s. Acquired on the UK art market in the 1990s.

Modelled in relief with openwork elements, stylised detailing to both figures; hollow reverse. 182 grams, 10.2 cm high



Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.

Hollow cast bronze images of Eros riding a lion are linked to the Eastern Levant and have been found for example in Tamna, probably a Roman import. The importance of the long-distance contacts within the Eastern Mediterranean areas was rapidly reflected in provincial artistic styles, probably as soon as in Hellenistic times, at the beginning of the third century B.C., possibly even earlier. The unquestionable Greek influence led a number of scholars to define three main styles for the bronzes discovered in the eastern Roman provinces: a local type and iconography locally produced, Greek or Roman imports, and Oriental, Hellenistic, or Roman style, locally produced.

Comprising a rock crystal cloison with intaglio scene of a winged kneeling male with outstretched arms receiving a winged baby from a seated winged female; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 3.42 grams, 21 mm



Ex property of a London gentleman; acquired by his father in the 1970s; thence by descent.