A Roman Marble Torso of Pothos, circa 2nd Century A.D., with 18th-Century Head of Apollo

the slender youth standing with the weight on his right leg, his left leg formerly crossed in front of the right one, his left arm raised and formerly holding a staff, his right arm reaching toward his left; limbs formerly restored, restored are the penis and the head, three small circular holes on the shoulder blades, possibly for a formerly restored quiver.

the painter Jean Martin-Roch (1905-1991), Abbaye Sainte-Marie de Pierredon, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, acquired prior to 1936
French private collection, Brittany, by descent (Rouillac SAS, Château de Cheverny, 26ème vente garden party, June 13th, 2014, no. 4, illus. [with 18th-Century lower legs, base, and support])
Galerie Chenel, Paris, acquired at the above sale
acquired from the above by the present owner

Galerie Chenel, Paris, Un homme & une femme, exh. cat., 2015, unpaginated

As shown and described. Minor chips on buttocks, abdomen, and proper right hip. Phallus (and possibly lower part of testicles) restored. Head restored with modern marble wedge inserted between ancient and 18th-century parts of neck (zwischengeflickt). Surface repolished. All breaks have been smoothed and picked to receive marble restorations. Tip of nose chipped on restored head.
"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."

The present torso is a reduced-sized copy of a larger type preserved in numerous copies. The original is dated to the late 4th Century B.C. based on stylistic grounds, and is commonly identified with a statue of personified Desire (gr. Pothos) by the Greek sculptor Skopas. Other statuettes of this type are at Oberlin College (http://www.oberlin.edu/amam/Torso.htm) and in Dresden (K. Knoll, et al., eds., Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden. Katalog der antiken Bildwerke, vol. 2, Munich, 2011, pp. 822ff., no. 196).