Irregular terracotta fragment with horizontal rib and high-relief palmette motif to the obverse; old inked collector's inscription 'Roman Brick' to one side; remains of light-coloured pigment; vertical mounting rib to reverse; mounted on a custom-made display stand. [No Reserve]

PROVENANCE:
Private collection of Katherine Carson, Delaware, acquired in the 1930s and thence by descent to great-nephew before sale by Ms Carson.
This artefact was part of a large collection of curios, a photo of which is in the Dover Post (8 October 1975, p.3) when in the ownership of Alan Hunn of Delaware.
Previously offered at auction by Artemis Gallery, 14 February 2010, lot 30 (unsold lot with pre-sale estimate of 2,000 – 3,000 USD).
Ex Sands of Time Ancient Art Gallery, Washington D.C. U.S.A., January 2012, item number RT903.

LITERATURE:
Cf. architectural fragments of similar style and proportions in the Antiquarium of the Case Romane del Celio, Rome.