This is the rating and price for Impressive Roman Stone Mosaic Of A Bull

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. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience. #156360
Price: 0.00 USD It's free to register now to view!
Estimate (low-high) : 9000 USD-14000 USD It's free to register now to view!

Details