Nomos AG
obolos 14 15 Dec 2019
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EGYPT, Alexandria. Circa 2nd-3rd Century AD. Tessera (Lead, 20.5 mm, 2.96 g, 6 h). MEMΦIC (retrograde) Priest standing facing with his face turned to left presenting offerings to the statue of Apis . Rev. Nilus seated to right, holding reed and cornucopia; crowned by Alexandria standing left before him. Dattari-Savio 11614 (this piece). A fascinating tessera with interesting iconography. Extremely fine.
From a Swiss collection, ex Naville 30, 2 April 2017, 372 and from the Dattari Collection.
The reverse depiction of Alexandria crowning the Nile reminds us that as Alexandria was built at the mouth of the Nile, in a way the city itself is the crown, the jewel of the Nile. Thus, Alexandria is here crowning Nilus both metaphorically and literally.
From a Swiss collection, ex Naville 30, 2 April 2017, 372 and from the Dattari Collection.
The reverse depiction of Alexandria crowning the Nile reminds us that as Alexandria was built at the mouth of the Nile, in a way the city itself is the crown, the jewel of the Nile. Thus, Alexandria is here crowning Nilus both metaphorically and literally.