Roman Terracotta Wine Cup

Restrung group of annular, oblate and tubular glass and other beads with discoid glass centrepiece. 16 grams, 67 cm long



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

Comprising three full and one partial octagon, each with two concentric rhombuses distinguished by different shades of yellow, white and light red, each with a central red dot; the border above with a band of red triangles; mounted on a reinforced backing board. 59 kg, 151 cm wide including frame



Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11920-207410.

The use of abstract and geometric motifs characterises the mosaic art of the Levant under the domination of Byzantium. Close ties can be identified between these rhomboidal figures with those of some of the famous Lebanese mosaics of Beit el Dine, or the mosaics of Tiberias and Hammat, which represent the last expression of Roman art in that area before the Islamic conquest.

With broad shoulder, slender neck, stepped neck and upwards-flaring rim, two applied rectangular handles; iridescent surfaces. 143 grams, 17 cm high



Acquired early 1990s. Ex private American collection; thence by descent. Private collection since 1998.