A Marble Head of a Bull, Roman Imperial, circa 2nd Century A.D.

lifesize, with bold naturalistically carved features, long pendulous dewlap, open mouth, round eyes with crescentic pupils under ribbed brows, and deeply drilled swirling mass of hair on the forehead.

Shrubland Park, Suffolk, England (Sotheby's, Shrubland Park, September 20th, 2006, no. 988, illus.)

Snout and part of teeth on lower jaw restored in marble, ears, horns, and neck formerly restored, surface somewhat weathered evenly, minor superficial chips
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.

For the treatment of the hair see a related head of a bovine in the Vatican Museums, Museo Pio Clementino, Sala degli Animali, inv. no. 495 (W. Amelung, Die Skulpturen des Vaticanischen Museums, vol. 2, p. 374, no. 198, G. Spinola, Il Museo Pio Clementino, vol. 1, Rome, 1996, p. 133, no. 31; Arachne, no. 53842).

In its 18th-century restored state, the present head had a marble snout (still extant), neck, horns, and ears, and rested on a large oval socle (see p. 118 in the present catalogue). It was probably acquired in Italy by the owner of Shrubland Park, Sir William Fowle Middleton (d. 1830), on one of his many continental tours. His collection of paintings and works of art was designed to complement the enlargement and redesign of his house, which he entrusted to a pupil of James Wyatt, James Gandy-Deering.

See other view on p. 118