Lot 55B
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Near East, Byzantine, ca. 6th to 7th century CE. An exceptional mosaic panel of rectangular form depicting a church building delineated in hand-cut stone and glass tesserae in hues of seafoam green, maroon, butterscotch, caramel, cobalt, black, gray, and beige. Previously used to decorate a floor or wall, the fascinating piece presents a central building resembling a church with a trapezoidal roof decorated with 2 right triangles and a half-round pediment framing a circular window with cruciform grilles at the center of its facade. A pink-colored rectangle stretches to the ground below the annular window, perhaps intended as an additional window or another architectural feature. The left side of the ancient building displays an arched doorway shown partly open with a diagonal stairway of 3 stairs extending down to a trapezoidal plinth, while the right exhibits another circular window. Size (mosaic): 43.5" W x 38.5" H (110.5 cm x 97.8 cm); (concrete): 44.9" W x 40.9" H (114 cm x 103.9 cm); (frame): 47.4" W x 43.5" H (120.4 cm x 110.5 cm)
A domed belltower or campanile rises on the right side, just behind the central structure, as a border of zigzag motif embellishes the periphery of this lovely piece.
Mosaics (opus tesellatum) are some of our enduring images from the Byzantine world, appreciated not only for their aesthetic beauty, but also because they reveal what Byzantines chose to depict and see every day decorating their private and public spaces. They reveal everyday life, social interactions, and even things like clothing styles, personal ornament, and the interior of buildings in ways other styles of Byzantine art generally do not. This mosaic would have decorated a church or the home of a wealthy and devout patron of the arts.
Mosaics of similar size that also depict churches in a comparable style have been sold at Sotheby's London for 32,760 British sterling (equivalent to about $44,637.14) as lot 31 in the "Ancient Sculpture and Works of Art Part I" auction on December 7th, 2021 and for 52,920 British sterling (equivalent to about $72,106.15) as lot 32 in the same auction.
Provenance: ex-Aspire Auctions, April 15 2021, lot 388; ex-Gorny and Mosch, auction 105, October 10, 2000, lot 2271
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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.
#164910
- Condition: Restoration to windows and roof. Losses of some tesserae on peripheries, as well as chips and abrasions to a few tesserae in scattered areas. Fading to colors of some tesserae. Otherwise, excellent with gorgeous preservation of decorative motifs and wonderful remains of tesserae coloration. Mounted on a concrete backing and framed.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |