BYZANTINE MARBLE RELIQUARY BOX WITH CROSS - PUBLISHED

Ca. 400-600 AD
An early Byzantine marble reliquary resembling a small sarcophagus with a gabled roof lid. The lower part features an engraved Greek cross with concentric circles in its angles. A libation hole at the cross's base allows liquid to exit. A rare example of late Roman-inspired Byzantine reliquary. Comes with a historical report by Ancient Report Specialists. Reference: Rom und Byzanz, no. 14, p. 26, and 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. This item has been checked against the Art Loss Register database.
Estimate: GBP 30000 - 50000