Roman Enamelled Bronze Vessel Lid
2nd-4th century A.D. With carinated body and gently inverted lower rim, circumferential frieze displaying 'yellow' and red champlevé enamelled flower heads within foliate roundels, alternating with stylised amphoras and volute scrolls creating heart shapes set against a rich blue field; central projecting stem with hexagonal plate, ornamented with a central domed flower head, amphora and foliate motifs surrounding; two suspension lugs with loops to the perimeter of the lower rim; repaired. Cf. The Metropolitan Museum, New York, accession numbers 47.100.5 and 47.100.8, for enamelled copper-alloy vessels and accession number 2000.505a-o, for ceremonial chariot fittings with very similar enamelled design and of similar hexagonal form to the lid plate. 435 grams, 15 cm wide (6 in.).

Acquired from Ariadne Galleries Inc, New York, 30 October 2003. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11622-198955.

Champlevé is a decorative technique which involves cutting cells into a metal surface and filling the void with enamel, using the raised metal borders between the cells to create the design outline. For this specific lot, 5% import VAT is applicable on the hammer price