Roman Stone Tesserae Mosaic w/ Duck & Hexagram

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Fine Antiquities | Asian | Ethnographic Art

By Artemis Gallery

Aug 26, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-08-26 10:00:00 2021-08-26 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Fine Antiquities | Asian | Ethnographic Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/fine-antiquities-asian-ethnographic-art-7366
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• Lot Description
  Rome, Imperial Period, ca. 3rd to 4th century CE. A sumptuous mosaic featuring the central tondo of a duck in profile surrounded by a 6-pointed star or hexagram, all made from hundreds of cut stone tesserae in vibrant hues of powder blue, teal, aquamarine, orange, puce, forest green, peach, cream, beige, tan, brown, gray, and black. The ancient bird faces right, displaying a tucked wing, a pointed tail, slender legs, and a lengthy neck that supports a petite head with a curved bill and target motif eyes. A thin band of gray tesserae encircles the bird forming a tondo, which is set within a hexagram - a popular decorative motif throughout the Roman empire. The hexagram is then contained within a larger circle and a square, both delineated with black tesserae. Size (of mosaic): 29" W x 29.75" H (73.7 cm x 75.6 cm); Size (of frame): 31.125" W x 31.75" H (79.1 cm x 80.6 cm)
  
  Birds - and indeed, animals of all kinds - were incredibly popular artistic themes in the Roman Empire. Romans delighted in seeing animals, and a major industry during the imperial period was the capture and transport of birds, mammals, and lizards for display and sport in the Roman arena. Ancient Roman mosaic artwork reflects this interest. For example, at Pompeii, there are multiple mosaics depicting well-rendered, lifelike birds engaging in a variety of activities - sitting in trees, warily watching cats, and in the case of one partridge, plucking at a necklace as if to steal it. Based on where mosaics depicting them have been found, birds seem to have been considered tranquil, peaceful subjects for the interiors of homes (not so the case with many other types of animals).
  
  Though it is now recognized as the Star of David and associated with the Jewish faith, the hexagram was a common architectural element found throughout the Roman Empire and continued to be used as a decorative motif in Christian churches and within Arabic tradition, where it was known as the Seal of Solomon. The use of the hexagram in tens if not hundreds of Roman mosaics suggests that it was primarily used as an ornament. Since many of the artistic ornaments found in mosaics were intended as symbols of protection, however, it may be assumed that the hexagram was believed to hold apotropaic properties as well. The symbol did not gain meaning in the Jewish context until around the 11th century.
  
  Mosaics (opus tesellatum) are some of our enduring images from the Roman world. They reveal everyday life, social interactions, and even things like clothing styles, personal ornament, and the interior of buildings in ways other styles of Roman art generally do not and give us an idea of what themes and decorations Romans wanted to encounter every day on the interior of their homes and public spaces. This mosaic may have been intended for a public space within a Roman villa such as an atrium, a vestibulum, or a triclinium.
  
  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, acquired 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.
  
  A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
  
  PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
  
  Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
  
  #163680

  Condition

  Mounted on a concrete backing and framed. Nicks and chips to some stone tesserae. Otherwise, intact and excellent with great preservation.
• Shipping Info

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