Tall Roman Mosaic Depicting Saint w/ Sceptre, Challice

**Originally Listed At $9500**

Roman, the Levant, late Imperial Period, ca. 4th to 5th century CE. An incredible mosaic depicting a saint holding a scepter in one hand and a chalice in the other - standing with legs crossed and wearing a pendant. The design is comprised of stone tesserae in hues of russet red, grey, creamy white, beige, and black. A decorative oval border surrounds the figure, further contributing to this beautiful composition. Shape, size, and color of tesserae were varied in order to model the figure and vestments. . 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. Given the Christian subject matter, this mosaic may have been intended for a Roman Christian basilica or church. Size: 26.75" W x 53.75" H (67.9 cm x 136.5 cm); 28.375" W x 54.625" H (72.1 cm x 138.7 cm) including surrounding matrix

Given the Christian imagery, this mosaic likely dates post-Emperor Constantine. Constantine the Great (ca. 280 to 337 CE), the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity (on his deathbed) who was also known as Saint Constantine, established the great city of Constantinople, and ruled in the early 4th century CE. He also played a role in establishing the Edict of Milan in 313 which proclaimed religious tolerance for Christianity throughout the Roman Empire.

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; however, sometimes mosaics were created to fit the theme of a building or room. This example may have been intended for a church or Christian complex - or the home of an observant early Christian.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#139205
Condition Report: Expected wear with losses to edges, chips, recessions, and abrasions to tesserae commensurate with age. Scattered deposits. Set in a modern plaster matrix with a metal frame. Some hairline fissures in the plaster matrix as shown.