6th century AD. A lidded marble reliquary casket in the shape of a church, ciborium, pyramidal lid with palm branch to each edge joining at the apex, a central Greek cross within a laurel wreath to three faces, a chi-rho within a laurel wreath to the front; the main body of the reliquary composed of arcaded outer faces supported by columns with a central pillar; the pillar with integrated columns and decorative door; the upper facade with a frieze depicting Agnus Dei within triangular border with flying archangels Michael and Gabriel to each side; the rear panel with a frieze of foliage scrolls, two crosses within arches flanking; the side panels with vine branches and birds; egg-and-dart border to the upper rim. See Grabar, A., L'età d'oro di Giustiniano, Milan, 1966; Wamser L., Zahlhaas, G., Rom und Byzanz, Archaologischen Kostbarkeiten aus Bayern, München, 1999; Hahn C. ed., Objects of devotion and desire, medieval relic to contemporary art, January 27-April 30, 2011, catalogue of the exhibition at the he Bertha and Karl Lebsdorf Art Gallery, Hunter College, New York, 2011.7.4 kg, 31cm (12 1/4"). From a late 1990s private collection; formerly acquired on the UK art market in the early 1980s; accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato; and a geological report No. TL3256 by geology consultant Dr R. L. Bonewitz; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.155132-10037. A video of this lot can be viewed on Timeline Auctions website.

Fine condition. Extremely rare.