- 51
A Roman Marble Portrait Head of a Man, Republican Period, 2nd half of the 1st Century B.C.
Estimate
40,000 - 60,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- A Roman Marble Portrait Head of a Man
- marble
- Height 29 cm. 11 7/16 in.
turned to his left, his face with dimpled chin, deep folds flanking the broad mouth, incised eyebrows, and creased forehead, his hair brushed forward in long strands over the temples and receding hairline, the back roughly carved; no restorations.
Provenance
Armando Brasini, Rome
Nelson-Atkins museum, Kansas City, no. inv. 47-63, acquired from the above in 1947 through H. W. Parsons, de-accessioned on June 16th, 2008
New York art market
acquired by the present owner from the above in 2012
Nelson-Atkins museum, Kansas City, no. inv. 47-63, acquired from the above in 1947 through H. W. Parsons, de-accessioned on June 16th, 2008
New York art market
acquired by the present owner from the above in 2012
Literature
RECORDED
photographed before 1928 while on the Roman art market by the Deutsches Archäologisches Institut (Inst. Neg. 6422: http://arachne.uni-koeln.de/item/marbilderbestand/1060426), again photographed in 1933 (Inst. Neg. 33.515–18: http://arachne.uni-koeln.de/item/marbilderbestand/1059704; http://arachne.uni-koeln.de/item/marbilderbestand/1059705; http://arachne.uni-koeln.de/item/marbilderbestand/1059706; http://arachne.uni-koeln.de/item/marbilderbestand/1059707)
photographed before 1928 while on the Roman art market by the Deutsches Archäologisches Institut (Inst. Neg. 6422: http://arachne.uni-koeln.de/item/marbilderbestand/1060426), again photographed in 1933 (Inst. Neg. 33.515–18: http://arachne.uni-koeln.de/item/marbilderbestand/1059704; http://arachne.uni-koeln.de/item/marbilderbestand/1059705; http://arachne.uni-koeln.de/item/marbilderbestand/1059706; http://arachne.uni-koeln.de/item/marbilderbestand/1059707)
PUBLISHED
Cornelius C. Vermeule, "Faces of Empire III," The Celator vol. 19/11, November 2005, p. 25, fig. 12
Pierre-Bergé & Associés, Archéologie, Drouot-Richelieu, December 16th, 2015, no. 225, illus.
Condition
As shown. Nose and top and back of head fragmentary. Areas of heavy incrustation on proper right side of head and neck. Forehead and hair on proper left side of head weathered. Rim of proper left ear abraded.
"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 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."
Catalogue Note
For a possibly related late Republican portrait in Copenhagen see F. Johansen, Catalogue Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek. Roman Portraits, vol. 1, 1994, p. 26f., no. 2. It has been suggested that the present portrait could date to the Flavian period.