Lot 10
  • 10

An Egyptian Stucco Votive Bust of a King, early Ptolemaic Period, circa 305-200 B.C.

Estimate
5,000 - 8,000 USD
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Description

  • An Egyptian Stucco Votive Bust of a King
  • Limestone
  • Height 6 in. 15.2 cm.
possibly Ptolemy II Philadelphos (285-246 B.C.), wearing a fragmentary nemes-headcloth with uraeus, his face with mouth rounded at the corners and large eyes with contoured upper lids. 

Provenance

Private collection, Antibes, acquired in the 1970s   
Carvajal. Maison de ventes aux enchères, Antibes, May 2nd, 2015, no. 96 

Condition

Imperfections as shown and described---the material is probably gypsum plaster (stucco) rather than limestone, as is sometimes the case with these votive busts. The flat back and top are not modeled and left rough. There is a small hole in the side of the neck under the proper left ear which seems to have been caused by an air bubble.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

Cf. Robert S. Bianchi and Richard A. Fazzini, Cleopatra’s Egypt, Age of the Ptolemies, Brooklyn, 1988, for a considerably larger but otherwise very similar votive bust, also identified as possibly Ptolemy II.