BYZANATINE MARBLE RELIQUARY BOX WITH CROSS - PUBLISHED
Ca. 400-600 AD.
A two-part lidded marble reliquary - in the form of a small sarcophagus whose cover simulates a gabled roof bearing undecorated corner acroteria. On the front of the lower section is an engraved Greek cross with concentric circles occupying the negative spaces created by each of its angles. Below the cross is a small opening that serves as an exit point for the corresponding libation hole in the center of the gable. An outstanding and quite rare example of an early Byzantine reliquary modeled on the form of late Roman sarcophagi. Item comes with a professional historical report from Ancient Report Specialists. Cf. Rom und Byzanz, no. 14, p. 26. For a full discussion, see S. Eyice, "Reliquaries en form de sarcophage en Anatolie et a Istanbul, "Istanbul Arkeoloji Muzeleri Yilligi 15-16 (1969), pp. 97-144.
Size: L:300mm / W:380mm ; 30kg
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-Richard Wagner Collection, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA, 1970's. Published in "Beloved By Time: Four Millennia of Ancient Art" (Fortuna Fine Arts Ltd., New York, 2000) no. 207, p. 118.
Estimate: GBP 30000 - 50000