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THBImpressive Roman Stone Mosaic of a Bull
Lot 105a
About Seller
Artemis Gallery
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
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Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$9,000 - $14,000
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About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Jun 10, 2021
Set Reminder
2021-06-10 10:00:00
2021-06-10 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Exceptional Antiquities | Asian | Ethnographic
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-antiquities-asian-ethnographic-7012
Museum-worthy examples of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Viking, Near Eastern, Far East / Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Russian, Fossils, Ancient Jewelry, Fine Art, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Museum-worthy examples of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Viking, Near Eastern, Far East / Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Russian, Fossils, Ancient Jewelry, Fine Art, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (408)
- Lot Description
Roman, the Levant, late Imperial Period, ca. 3rd to 5th century CE. A brilliantly executed mosaic panel depicting a male bull amidst flowering vines, the composition skillfully arranged from stone tesserae in hues of misty rose, blush red, caramel, butterscotch, chocolate brown, burnt sienna, olive, jade, and cream. Facing left, the ancient animal stands on attenuated legs and cloven hooves, displaying a thick body with a humped back and a lengthy tail. Its petite head exhibits a round snout with a delineated mouth and nostrils, as well as a large, almond-shaped eye, all topped with curved horns and perky, pointed ears. A thick border of green and pink adorns the base, perhaps intended to represent the ground. The bull has a significant history in the ancient world, with representations from every culture, from the Minoans, to the Egyptians, and to the Greeks and Romans. The bull was central to the Roman's cult of Mithras with their central tenant of tauroctony, the sacred slaying of the bull. Size (of mosaic): 39" W x 28" H (99.1 cm x 71.1 cm); Size (with frame): 41.25" W x 30.25" H (104.8 cm x 76.8 cm)
Mosaics (opus tesellatum) are some of our most enduring images from the Roman world, exciting not only for their aesthetic beauty, but also because they reveal what Romans chose to depict and see every day decorating their private and public spaces. In the Roman province of Syria, which encompassed most of the ancient Near East/Levant, mosaics developed as a popular art form relatively late, with most finds coming from the 3rd century CE or later. Syria was one of Rome's wealthiest provinces, but it was also far removed from Rome itself and Roman culture was overlaid on enduring cultural traditions from Hellenistic Greece and the great civilizations that came before it. Antioch-on-the-Orontes (modern day Antakya, Turkey), was the capital of northern Roman Syria, and its excavations in the 1930s revealed more than three hundred mosaic pavements - of which many embellished public baths. Popular mosaic themes from this region were often mythological or religious scenes, depicting gods and goddesses.
Although the shape of the bull's body is similar to those of zebu bulls, which were bred in India and may have been familiar to a well-traveled or educated Roman, it may also reflect the desire of the artist to portray the most masculine, virile bull possible. Some archaeological evidence also suggests that Romans imported the zebu bull - only the bulls - to be sacrificial animals, again because of their masculine appearance. Certainly, a magnificent portrait of a powerful animal!
A similar Roman mosaic of a bull can be found at the J. Paul Getty Museum under object number 75.AH.117.
This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world’s largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.
Provenance: ex-Phoenicia Holyland Antiquities, New York, New York, USA, before 2010
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
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#156360Mounted on a concrete backing. A few small losses and chips to tesserae. Otherwise, intact and excellent with beautiful preservation of imagery as well as tesserae coloration.Condition
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