Hellenistic - Palmyrene Terracotta σύμβολα- tessere (rare) in relief on each side - 15×15×3 mm

RARE TERRACOTTA TESSERAE Old terracotta tesserae, probably a theatre token, including the representation in relief of a scene on each side. Face A: two elongated goddesses Face B: two characters sacrificing on a Pyre A similar model is on display in the Louvres Museum https: //www. photo. rmn. fr/archive/08-513874-2C6NU0I3CG36. html Many tesserae were found at the Palmyra site in Syria. Eastern Roman Empire, Syria, Between the 1st and 2nd century AD. Size: 15 mm x 15 mm - Perfectly preserved. Palmyra, an ancient city now part of Syria, is built in an oasis and flourished during the Roman period. The fate of the city was linked to the fate of Queen Zenobia, the last queen who rebelled against the Romans who eventually destroyed the city in 272/273 AD. Palmyra was an independent city after the Seleucid dynasty conquered Syria and was a trading post between the Euphrates and the Mediterranean Sea. The Greco-Roman tradition and the location of the city on the edge of the Roman and Parthian territories created the conditions necessary for the development of a particular culture. Palmyra's tokens (σύμβολα, tesserae) , mentioned in the bibliography are a particular category of ancient artefacts. They are tiles with various shapes, almost made exclusively of clay and bearing embossed patterns on both sides. Experts supposed that these objects played an important role in the religious celebrations in Palmyra, as they were used to access ceremonial meals or distributions after specific sacrifices. They date between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD and provide important information regarding the deities of Palmyra and regarding the Semitic religious history in general. The earliest examples of the Tesseras of Palmyra are known from the first part of the 1st century AD and the late 3rd century AD. Information regarding the origin: T. V. gallery, United Kingdom, dec 763 Former history: Old private British collection built-up in the 1970s. The seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally, declaration of provenance seen by Catawiki. An illustrated certificate of authenticity will be included. Important information: The seller guarantees that they are authorised to sell / export this lot. The seller will make sure that the necessary authorisations, such as an export licence, are obtained (passport for cultural item) . The seller will inform the buyer in a timely manner, should this take more than a few days.