An Alabaster Cinerary Urn, probably Egypt, Roman Imperial, circa 1st Century A.D.

with separately-carved ogee foot, deep rounded body with narrow shoulder, flat contoured rim, and twin handles with cross bars over the shoulder and joined to the body by elongated leaf-shaped motifs, the domed lid restored, the square base modern.

said to have been found in Pompeii in the mid-19th Century
M. Queulain, most likely Edouard Queulain, Cambrai, acquired shortly after its discovery
by descent to his nephew Albéric Parent (1852-1930), and Henriette Parent, née d'Audebard de Férusac (1855-1919)
by descent to their daughter Marie Chavane, née Parent (1891-1970), and Maurice Chavane (1881-1957), 4 Boulevard des Sablons, Neuilly-sur Seine
by descent to her grand-daughter Laurence Burger, née Chavane, Paris
acquired from the above by the present owner

As described; lid most likely repaired from large fragment and four smaller fragments. Square plinth and torus molding both 18th century or earlier. Restored foot appears to be ancient and belonging. Body repaired from seveal large fragments. One lateral break seems to follow veining very neatly around entire circumference. Four by three inch area of alabaster restoration under one handle, close to foot. Small areas of alabaster restoration on top molding of foot. One branch of one handle repaired in three to four places and possibly restored in places. One branch of other handle repaired. Bottom inside of vase coated with material. Body held together with nut and bolt.
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 a closely related alabaster cinerary urn found in a burial chamber on the via Laurentina in Rome, close to the Abbazia delle Tre Fontane, see F. Taglietti, in Museo Nazionale Romano, vol. I/1, Rome, 1979, no. 149. The urn was dated to the late 1st/early 2nd century A.D based on a diagnostic gold ring found within one of them.

For other examples see M. Montalcini De Angelis D'Ossat, "Area sepolcrale a Torre Gaia", Archeologia Laziale, vol. III, Rome, 1980, pp. 89f. (also found with a ring inside). Also see L. Guerrini and C. Gasparri, Il Palazzo del Quirinale. Catalogo delle sculture, Rome, 1993, pp. 115f., no. 39, pl. XXXIX; the authors note the relative scarcity of this type of urn and suggest that they were produced during a relatively short period of time during the Early Imperial period and by a limited number of workshops, probably in Egypt.