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A ROMAN MARBLE TORSO OF ACHILLES, CIRCA 2ND CENTURY A.D | A Roman Marble Torso of Achilles
Estimate
25,000 - 35,000 GBP
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Description
- marble
- Height 40.6 cm.
after a Greek original of the Hellenistic period, the hero once holding the body of Penthesileia, advancing onto his left leg with his right arm forward, and wearing a chlamys falling from his left shoulder, and a sheath with baldric decorated in relief with scrolling vine; former restorations removed.
Provenance
European private collection, circa 18th Century (based on restoration techniques)
New York art market (Sotheby’s, New York, May 29th, 1987, no. 112, illus.)
Galerie Archéologia, 36 Place du Grand Sablon, Brussels
Belgian private collection, acquired from the above on February 15th, 1989
by descent to the present owner
New York art market (Sotheby’s, New York, May 29th, 1987, no. 112, illus.)
Galerie Archéologia, 36 Place du Grand Sablon, Brussels
Belgian private collection, acquired from the above on February 15th, 1989
by descent to the present owner
Condition
Fragmentary as shown. Minor chips and abrasions overall. Surface acid-cleaned and repolished. Arms, neck, and leg breaks, chlamys, and sheath smoothed and drilled to accommodate modern marble extremities now missing; some mortises have iron pins and lead inside.
"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 torso is a reduced-scaled copy of the figure of Achilles from a group showing him together with Penthesileia, queen of the Amazons. The moment shown immediately follows Achilles’ tragic mistake, when he simultaneously kills the warrior queen in combat and falls in love with her. Now, he desperately holds on to her body, raising his head in anguish. The over-lifesize Hellenistic group is known from several Roman Imperial copies (LIMC, vol. 7, p. 303, nos. 59–61, pls. 244ff.; M. Gensheimer and K. Welch, Istanbuler Mitteilungen, vol. 63, 2013, pp. 325ff.). Some of the best preserved examples are in Beirut (http://arachne.uni-koeln.de/item/objekt/1726) and Aphrodisias (http://aphrodisias.classics.ox.ac.uk/ach&pent.html#prettyPhoto).