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1131 - ROMAN POLYCHROME MOSAIC PANEL WITH BIRDS AND ACHANTUS SCROLL…

Estimate £15,000 - £30,000
Sale commission
Description
ROMAN POLYCHROME MOSAIC PANEL WITH BIRDS AND ACHANTUS SCROLLS ON A DARK GROUND WITH NILOTIC SCENE Ca. AD 270 - 320 . A finely constructed polychrome mosaic panel in *opus tessellatum*, centred by a waterfowl shown in profile amid an elaborate arrangement of scrolling achantus, vines, broad leaves, flowers, buds, and fruit. The bird is rendered in cream, pale blue, ochre, and reddish-brown tesserae, with dark outlines defining its curved neck, folded wing, and plumage. Large golden leaves anchor the upper corners, while intertwined tendrils and smaller blossoms spread across the black ground, creating a dense and balanced composition. The rich palette combines ivory, yellow, terracotta, green, blue-grey, brown, and black, producing clear contrasts and subtle tonal variation. The tesserae are laid in carefully directed rows, or *andamento*, which follow the contours of the bird and the movement of the vegetal scrolls. Smaller tesserae articulate the principal details, while broader and more regular courses form the background. Very well preserved, with the central figure, complex ornament, and extensive polychromy remaining substantially intact and clearly legible. For similar see: Christie's, Live Auction 7017, a peacable kingdom: The Leo Mildenberg collection, lot. 188. Type of Scrolls see: MET Museum Object Number: 18.145.38a; British Museum number 1857,1220.427 Size: 2160mm x 830mm; Weight: g Provenance: Private London Collection, acquired on the Austrian Art Market; Ex Austrian Private Collection; Ex. US Art Market, New York (1983). This piece is accompanied by an Austrian export license. This piece is accompanied by a historical report from Alessandro Neri, an international Cultural Heritage expert based in Florence, Italy. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter.
About the sale FINE ANCIENT ART AND ANTIQUITIES - THE PRINCE COLLECTION
Auction location
Auction time 10/04/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits:
Apollo Art Auctions Ltd
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