A Roman Marble Head of Dionysos, circa 2nd Century A.D.

turned slightly to his left, his wavy hair parted in the center across the crown and down the back, bound in a fillet stretching above the forehead, and surmounted by a deeply-drilled wreath of ivy leaves and berries; no restorations, the nape of neck and facial features reworked in several areas, a recessed rectangular area in back with protruding iron tenon.

probably Armand-Jean du Plessis (1607-1624), Cardinal de Richelieu et de Fronsac, Château de Richelieu (demolished 1980s), Touraine 
probably M. Suet, architect in Nantes
probably M. Chapeau, sculptor in Angers
Alain Calame, Château de la Mauvoisinière, Bouzillé, Maine-et-Loire
Hôtel Drouot, Paris, December 9th, 1989 

Marie Montembault and John Schloder, L'Album Canini du Louvre et la collection d'antiques de Richelieu, Paris, 1988, p. 196, no. 56, fig. 150 (photograph of the present head atop an ancient marble torso, both found resting at the base of a pedestal in the gardens of the Château de la Mauvoisinière)

Hair and ivy wreath evenly weathered. Rectangular area in back above nape of neck has been levelled and drilled for an iron pin now bent. Lead patch behind proper left ear between two ivy leaves. Underside of hair in back has been filed down. Entire face as shown, reworked in places and repolished. Chin chipped with stress crack extending along proper lower right jaw. Stained on proper left side of face as well as in various areas over the hair.
"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.
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