Late Roman / Byzantine Empire, North Africa, Tunisia, Carthage, ca. 3rd to 4th century CE. A lovely mold-made terracotta tile in low relief with a face within a sunburst / halo, an early Christian representation of Christ or another holy figure. The impressed pellets or sun beams frame the face and red, white, and black pigments highlight the visage and halo. The verso has great remains of encrusted mortar and underneath, the linear X marking that may have assisted removal from a mold. Tiles were added to walls and ceilings to illustrate Biblical scenes, presenting basic catechism through pictures to the illiterate. The Greco-Roman god of the sun, Helios, possesses attributes similar to Christ, and early Christian art sometimes combines the two- using the glory of the sun to represent Christ. Size: 7.75" L x 0.8" W x 7.75" H (19.7 cm x 2 cm x 19.7 cm); 10.5" H (26.7 cm) on included custom stand.

Despite persecution, Christianity appealed to many due to the clear moral structure and explanation of good and evil in the world - which may have helped provide a sense of stability during the fall of the Roman Empire. Without wealth, the poverty-stricken lower classes had few hopes of achieving peace in the afterlife, and the Christian emphasis on abolition of sin and reconciliation no matter social status or wealth, was highly appealing at this time. Similar tiles with Christian themes can be seen at the Bardo National Museum in Tunis.

This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full printed and bound report will accompany the item upon purchase.

Provenance: private Vero Beach, Florida, USA collection, acquired before 2003

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#177606

Chips and losses to peripheries. Tile is otherwise intact without repairs. Remains or mortar / encrustations on verso. TL holes on upper edge and on verso left corner.