ostracon ancient art
catalogue

Roman North African Bowl Fragment with Lion, 350-430 AD

Redware fragment showing a fierce lion with the head turned towards the viewer.

The motif may belong to the realm of Roman hunt scenes or relate to Christians thrown to the beasts like St. Thecla or Daniel. Apart from that the lion may represent Christ or Marcus the evangelist.

Fragment of a shallow bowl, Hayes form 53A, with grooves running around the inner rim.
Hayes 1021-1043 – fig. 32, pp. 222-223, pl. 51-52.

Fragmentary, reconstituted from three shards. Superb modeling.

L. 8.5 cm (3.3 in), H. 4.4 cm (1.7 in)

French private collection, sold at Marseille Enchères Provence.

280 USD

John W. Hayes. Roman Pottery and Fine-Ware Imports. The Athenian Agora. Vol. 32. Princeton 2008.