A ROMAN MARBLE MOSAIC PANEL

CIRCA 4TH CENTURY A.D.

Details

A ROMAN MARBLE MOSAIC PANEL
CIRCA 4TH CENTURY A.D.
The multicolored composition on a cream ground, preserving a geometric pattern on a rectangular panel, comprised of yellow diamonds outlined in black, connected by black bands, centered by a smaller black diamond, interspersed with black squares, all but two centered by white crosses
59 ½ in. x 24 ½ in. (152 cm. x 63 cm.)

Provenance

Stanislav Kovar (1889-1962), Czech Diplomat, acquired in the Levant, and brought with him to Czechoslovakia, prior to 1947; thence by descent to his daughter, Eva Christovar, who imported it to Australia, 1970.
The Kovar Collection; Guy Earl Smith, Sydney, 15 August 2015, lot 123.

Lot Essay

Stanislav Kovar was an important figure in international politics noted for his humanitarianism, who also had a strong passion for antiquities. As a Czech diplomat from 1917-1955, Kovar’s interest in antiquity grew, especially during his appointment to Consul General in Alexandria, Egypt (1934-47) where he immersed himself in the culture of the region by writing, photographing, and collecting ancient works of art. Kovar formed life-long relationships with archaeologists as well as museum curators and was integral in promoting peace in the region through his political contributions.

For a similar geometric patterned mosaic, see no. 300B in K.M.D. Dunbabin, Mosaics of the Greek and Roman World.

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