Ancient Roman Bone 官能的な情景を描いたアップリケ

07
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01
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Starting bid
€ 1
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Ruth Garrido Vila
Expert
Estimate € 1,000 - € 1,300
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Description from the seller

ITEM: Applique depicting an erotic scene
MATERIAL: Bone
CULTURE: Roman
PERIOD: 2nd - 3rd Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 28 mm x 34 mm x 17 mm
CONDITION: Good condition, repaired.
PROVENANCE: Ex French private collection, acquired before 1980s

Roman bone appliques featuring explicit erotic scenes (symplegma) are among the most evocative decorative elements preserved from ancient domestic luxury items. Carved in low or high relief from bovine bone or ivory, these delicate plaques—often measuring just a few centimeters across—were crafted to ornament high-status furniture, wooden jewelry caskets (pyxides), and couches (lecti). Artisans utilized small iron chisels, gouges, and abrasives to execute astonishing anatomical detail within the constrained surface of the material, rendering intertwined couples on draped banquets or couches in compositions that echoed famous Hellenistic sculptures and contemporary wall paintings from Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Far from being purely scandalous, explicit erotic imagery held complex cultural, social, and protective meanings within the Roman world. While such appliques undoubtedly added a provocative, playful dimension to private spaces reserved for dining (triclinia) or sleeping (cubicula), erotic art was also linked to apotropaic beliefs—the concept that depictions of fertility, passion, and the human body could ward off the evil eye (fascinum) and bring good fortune to a household. Additionally, these carved reliefs reflected the elite Roman appreciation for Greek-style erotic genre scenes, aligning domestic decor with sophisticated Mediterranean artistic traditions.

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export license

Seller's Story

Your Antiquarian offers ancient art and ancient coins. Our main objective is to offer the highest quality at the best price respecting and strictly complying with the laws of heritage protection and UNESCO heritage norms. Therefore, all the pieces that are published come from private collections in which the provenance can be checked or international auctions. All our antiquities and coins are accompanied by their Certificate of Authenticity. We have a no quibble 90 day return policy. At Your Antiquarian we are committed to helping disadvantaged groups and for this reason a portion of each purchase is donated to charities to help people in need.
Translated by Google Translate

ITEM: Applique depicting an erotic scene
MATERIAL: Bone
CULTURE: Roman
PERIOD: 2nd - 3rd Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 28 mm x 34 mm x 17 mm
CONDITION: Good condition, repaired.
PROVENANCE: Ex French private collection, acquired before 1980s

Roman bone appliques featuring explicit erotic scenes (symplegma) are among the most evocative decorative elements preserved from ancient domestic luxury items. Carved in low or high relief from bovine bone or ivory, these delicate plaques—often measuring just a few centimeters across—were crafted to ornament high-status furniture, wooden jewelry caskets (pyxides), and couches (lecti). Artisans utilized small iron chisels, gouges, and abrasives to execute astonishing anatomical detail within the constrained surface of the material, rendering intertwined couples on draped banquets or couches in compositions that echoed famous Hellenistic sculptures and contemporary wall paintings from Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Far from being purely scandalous, explicit erotic imagery held complex cultural, social, and protective meanings within the Roman world. While such appliques undoubtedly added a provocative, playful dimension to private spaces reserved for dining (triclinia) or sleeping (cubicula), erotic art was also linked to apotropaic beliefs—the concept that depictions of fertility, passion, and the human body could ward off the evil eye (fascinum) and bring good fortune to a household. Additionally, these carved reliefs reflected the elite Roman appreciation for Greek-style erotic genre scenes, aligning domestic decor with sophisticated Mediterranean artistic traditions.

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export license

Seller's Story

Your Antiquarian offers ancient art and ancient coins. Our main objective is to offer the highest quality at the best price respecting and strictly complying with the laws of heritage protection and UNESCO heritage norms. Therefore, all the pieces that are published come from private collections in which the provenance can be checked or international auctions. All our antiquities and coins are accompanied by their Certificate of Authenticity. We have a no quibble 90 day return policy. At Your Antiquarian we are committed to helping disadvantaged groups and for this reason a portion of each purchase is donated to charities to help people in need.
Translated by Google Translate

Details

文化
Ancient Roman
世紀/年代
2nd - 3rd Century A.D
商品名
Applique depicting an erotic scene
取得先
Private collection
取得年
2025
素材
Bone
取得国
France
コンディション
Good
前所有者の取得先
Antique market
前所有者 - 取得年
1980
前所有者 - 取得国
France
この商品を合法的に取得し、販売する権利があることを保証します
はい'
Authenticity
Original/official
スペインVerified
7171
Objects sold
100%
protop

Disclaimer

The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.

The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.

Bidders need to be aware that several countries do not allow importing objects derived from endangered and other protected species, even if a certificate of origin is provided. By bidding, you confirm that you have familiarised yourself with customs laws and regulations of your own country.

Bidders need to be aware that several countries do not allow importing objects derived from endangered and other protected species, even if a certificate of origin is provided. By bidding, you confirm that you have familiarised yourself with customs laws and regulations of your own country.

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