A Roman Marble Torso of Apollo or Dionysos, circa 2nd Century A.D.

standing with the weight on his right leg, his hair falling in long curls over the shoulders in front and in back, trace of a strut on the right hip; no restorations.

Amy Gwen Mond, Baroness Melchett (d. 1982), Mulberry House, Westminster, London (Sotheby's, London, July 9th, 1974, no. 179, illus.)

C.H. Reilly, "Mulberry House, Westminster. Recent alterations carried out for Lady Melchet by Mr. Darcy Braddell," Country Life, June 6th, 1931, p. 738, fig. 6 (on shelf to right of fireplace); the bearded marble head, visible on the cited photo above the fireplace, is now in Copenhagen: A. Nielsen and J. Ostergaard, Catalogue Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek. Hellenism, 1997, p. 66f., no. 33.

As shown and described. Stable stress crack across proper right hip. Light chips and abrasions on buttocks, shoulder blades, as well as heavier ones on locks of hair. Surface in very good condition, preserving part of the original polish. Root-marks especially on the back and areas of heavy incrustation including on the chest and front of proper left thigh. The object is mounted at the slightly wrong angle, as it should be tilted towards its proper left by a few degrees (as shown in main catalogue photo). Mounted on two metal rods inserted into a variegated salmon-coloured marble base typical of the early part of the twentieth century.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

In 1920 Amy Gwen Wilson married Henry Mond, who upon the death of his father became 2nd Baron Melchett. An artist herself, she was the subject of portraits by other artists of her day. A photograph by Ida Kar in the National Portrait Gallery shows Baroness Melchett reclining next to her portrait bust by Sir Jacob Epstein.

In the introduction to the 1928 catalogue of the Melchett Collection Eugenie Strong writes that “the name of Mond remains permanently associated with the splendid Italian pictures brought together by Ludwig Mond [1839-1909] and now housed in the National Gallery. Love of art and collecting was in the Mond tradition, and to this the younger generation continues faithful” (E. Strong, Catalogue of the Greek and Roman Antiques in the Possession of the Rt. Honorable Lord Melchett, P.C., D.Sc., F.R.S., 1928). Ludwig Mond’s son Alfred, 1st Baron Melchett (1868-1930), began expanding the breadth of the collection early in the 20th Century, and it seems probable that the torso of Apollo was acquired by him, the father-in-law of Gwen, wife of the 2nd Baron.