"Byzantine Art Marble Sculpture. Northern Italy. Early Christian Art"
This pre-Romanesque marble frieze is probably an altar element or a capital abacus. It shows two birds facing each other pecking at bunches of grapes. This theme, like the one which presents two birds drinking from the chalice, is typical of paleo-Christian and Byzantine sculptures. The morphology and style of the birds connect this sculpture to the first Longobard representations, before their expansion towards southern Italy. Related works: Chancel of the Basilica of Aquileia, Italy - Chancel Vatican Museum MV.31424.0.0 Details on
www.ekinium.com