A Bronze Candelabrum Decorated with the Labors of Herakles, Roman Imperial, circa 2nd/3rd Century A.D.

with triangular voluted base with tripod claw feet each resting on a spool-shaped support, each side of the base cast in relief with a palmette and bucranion, the cylindrical shaft ornamented in relief with the twelve labors of Herakles arranged in four registers of three vignettes each, the elaborate Corinthian capital supporting a bell-shaped cup decorated with encircling petals(?) and a scrolling acanthus collar, an ovolo kymation below the rim.

Gallery Sakae, Nagoya, Japan, 1982
Sotheby's, New York, June 6th, 2006, no. 32, illus.

In four pieces, one corner of volute missing on capital, central shaft with slight bend, small area of restoration near base, minor horizontal stress crack across center, and with somewhat worn surface, telescopic rod which would have allowed cup to be raised and lowered is now missing, ornamentation on cup is slightly worn.
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.

Cf. Toronto, Greek, Roman, and Related Metalware, no. 233, for a related retractable example with spiral-fluted shaft.

In the highly inventive and eclectic fashion typical of late antique decorative arts, the present lampstand successfully combines and transforms disparate elements drawn from the repertoire of larger-scale classical architecture and ritual furniture. The Corinthian capital stands isolated as the only representative element of the Corinthian order within the object as a whole. The triangular base consciously imitates the bases of early Imperial marble candelabra (H.-U. Cain, Römische Marmorkandelaber, Mainz am Rhein, 1985, type IV). The concept of a column shaft decorated in relief with the Twelve Labours of Herakles (dodekathlon) can be traced as far back as the Greek temple of Artemis at Ephesus (s.v. Herakles, LIMC, vol. V.I, p. 7, no. 1707).