- 52
A Roman Marble Figure of a Man of Letters, the body circa 2nd Century A.D., the head mid 3rd Century A.D.
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- A Roman Marble Figure of a Man of Letters
- Stone/marble
- Total height 60 cm.; height without plinth 56 cm.
standing against a tree-trunk support with the weight on his left leg, the right leg slightly advanced, the right arm relaxed, and grasping the edge of his garment with his left hand, and wearing sandals and himation falling from the left shoulder and forming a triangular overfold, his finely carved head (not belonging) turned to his right, his face with portrait features and with incised irises and drilled pupils; right hand and scroll restored, base recarved and sunk into a modern marble plinth.
Provenance
European private collection, circa 18th Century (based on restoration techniques)
Antiquarian Museum, Edinburgh, as of 1876, not recorded as part of the objects transferred to the Royal Museum of Scotland in 1936
American private collection, Honolulu, Hawaii, probably acquired in the 1970s or earlier
Antiquarian Museum, Edinburgh, as of 1876, not recorded as part of the objects transferred to the Royal Museum of Scotland in 1936
American private collection, Honolulu, Hawaii, probably acquired in the 1970s or earlier
Literature
Catalogue of Antiquities in the National Museum of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, Edinburgh, 1876, p. 5, E17
Adolf Michaelis, "Ancient Marbles in Great Britain: Supplement I," Journal of Hellenic Studies, 1884, p. 159, no. 17
Adolf Michaelis, "Ancient Marbles in Great Britain: Supplement I," Journal of Hellenic Studies, 1884, p. 159, no. 17
Condition
Head attached with iron pin and removable. Right hand and scroll restored in fine-grained (Italian) marble. Tip of nose, proper left index finger, and proper right toe chipped. Minor losses to drapery folds overall. Traces of old glue where small areas of restored folds were once attached. Base recarved in the shaped of an oval and sunk into a modern marble plinth.
"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
The present statuette is probably the one described by A. Michaelis, Journal of Hellenic Studies, vol. 5, 1884, p. 159, no. 17 (Antiquarian Museum, Edinburgh).
The arrangement of the drapery and the gesture of the left arm call to mind depictions of intellectuals on Roman sarcophagi; cf. B. Ewald, Der Philosoph als Leitbild (34. Ergh. RM), 1999, pls. 76,2, and 76,4. On small-scale roman portraiture see K. Dahmen, Untersuchungen zu Form und Funktion kleinformatiger Porträts der römischen Kaiserzeit, 2001.
The arrangement of the drapery and the gesture of the left arm call to mind depictions of intellectuals on Roman sarcophagi; cf. B. Ewald, Der Philosoph als Leitbild (34. Ergh. RM), 1999, pls. 76,2, and 76,4. On small-scale roman portraiture see K. Dahmen, Untersuchungen zu Form und Funktion kleinformatiger Porträts der römischen Kaiserzeit, 2001.