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A ROMAN MARBLE TOGATE FIGURE OF A WOMAN, CIRCA 2ND CENTURY A.D. | A Roman Marble Togate Figure of a Woman
Estimate
50,000 - 80,000 GBP
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Description
- Total height 125 cm.; height without plinth 118 cm.
standing with the weight on her left leg, and wearing a toga over a chiton bound in a twisted belt, a signet ring on the index finger of her right hand, the veiled head (not belonging) with centrally parted wavy hair surmounted by a stephane; base faceted in modern times, neck, chin, and back of head incl. most of veil restored, nose and left hand formerly restored.
Provenance
European private collection, circa 18th Century (based on restoration techniques)
Jandolo & Tavazzi, Rome, Catalogo delle pregevoli collezioni di oggetti d'arte e mobili antichi spettanti al signor Marchese di Riofreddo ed ai signori Gagliardi di Firenze, April 27th-May 15th, 1908, no. 428, pl. VIII (https://archive.org/stream/gri_33125010742316#page/n247/mode/2up)
Austrian private collection, acquired in the 1970s
Jandolo & Tavazzi, Rome, Catalogo delle pregevoli collezioni di oggetti d'arte e mobili antichi spettanti al signor Marchese di Riofreddo ed ai signori Gagliardi di Firenze, April 27th-May 15th, 1908, no. 428, pl. VIII (https://archive.org/stream/gri_33125010742316#page/n247/mode/2up)
Austrian private collection, acquired in the 1970s
Condition
Base faceted in modern times, neck, chin, and back of head incl. most of veil restored, nose and left hand formerly restored. Proper right foot repaired. Slightly weathered overall. Drapery falls abraded and chipped. Proper right hand worn.
"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
Representations of togate women in the round and in relief are not common, as the toga was a garment typically reserved for men; see the fourteen examples compiled by H. Goette, Studien zu römischen Togadarstellungen, 1990, p. 158f., to which a statue from Spain should be added: A. Garcia y Bellido, Archivo Español de Arqueologia, vol. 38, 1965, p. 85, fig. 3. For a discussion of the ancient sources and visual evidence for the use of the toga by unmarried women see K. Olson, in J.C. Edmondson and A. Keith, eds., Roman Dress and the Fabrics of Roman Culture, 2008, pp. 142ff.
The ancient head which was added to the present statue shows idealised features and wears a stephane. She represents a goddess, not an actual individual (cf. a head in Warsaw: T. Mikocki, Les sculptures mythologiques et décoratives dans les collections polonaises, 1994, p. 70, no. 60, pl. 35). The original head of the statue would have been a private portrait.
The ancient head which was added to the present statue shows idealised features and wears a stephane. She represents a goddess, not an actual individual (cf. a head in Warsaw: T. Mikocki, Les sculptures mythologiques et décoratives dans les collections polonaises, 1994, p. 70, no. 60, pl. 35). The original head of the statue would have been a private portrait.