A ROMAN MOSAIC GLASS INLAY

EGYPT, CIRCA 1ST CENTURY B.C.-1ST CENTURY A.D.

Details

A ROMAN MOSAIC GLASS INLAY
egypt, circa 1st century b.c.-1st century a.d.
With a praying lapwing on a dark blue ground, the lapwing white with blue eye markings and feathering, a coil from the head in yellow, the wings blue, white, green, yellow and red, the foot and upraised arm in red, the tail feathers in white, black and red, a white tendril above, the lapwing above a hb (basin) sign, a quatrefoil with tendrils at the center in yellow, red and white on black, framed by black and white chevron, enclosed within yellow, a striped border above of white and yellow circles on red and black
.5/8 in. (1.6 cm) long

Lot Essay

The praying lapwing represents the hieroglyph rhyt (=populace) and was often shown as part of a frieze in temple architecture, indicating the devotion of the people to their divine pharoah. For other examples see lots 144-147 in Ancient Egyptian Glass Inlays, Part II, Christie's London, 7 July 1993.

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