Byzantine Marble Relief with Architectural Facade
Circa 7th century A.D. A large and imposing covering slab with high-relief design of an architectural façade comprising a three-tiered arched portal with offset tegula detailing in early Christian art, supported on three pairs of foliate-headed columns with socle bases and imitation of ashlar stonework behind; within the upper arch, two smaller plain arches, each supported by a reserved cross with rebated faces and an expanding-arm cross extending to the vault of the arch above; a central column flanked by two reserved cross motifs within the lower portal, each with a segmented panel to each arm, and five round sockets to the centre to accept inset bosses; the lower edge with ashlar stonework detailing; mounted on a custom-made stand. Cf. Mendel, G., Catalogue des sculptures grecques, romaines et byzantines, Constantinople, 1914, nos.729-730 (2293 and 2251), vol.II, pp.526-528; Sheppard, C.D., ‘Byzantine Carved Marble Slabs’ in The Art Bulletin, 51:1, 1969, pp.65-71, figs.1-3. 81.8 kg total, 93 cm high including stand (36 5/8 in.). French collection, 1990s-early 2000s. Ex Vermot & Associés, Paris, France, 2 August 2020, lot 57. From an important Paris gallery, France. Ex private Parisian collection. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. Accompanied by scholarly note TL05448 by Dr Ronald Bonewitz. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.114505-195297. [A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions Website]