LOT 0196

A Fine Life-Sized Eastern Roman Bust of a Wealthy Lady

2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.

19 3/4 in. (29.95 kg, 50 cm including stand).

Finely carved in hard white limestone; the facial features framed by swept-back locks of wavy hair enclosed by a loosely draped palla headdress held onto a low turban by a segmented diadem with high-relief ornament, with drop earrings at the sides; a necklace of graduated beads at the throat, soft fabric stola covering the chest and shoulders; the arched brows above large almond-shaped eyes with carefully worked pupils, small pert mouth with full lips, smooth cheeks and brow; unworked to the reverse; mounted on a custom-made stand.

From a private UK collection, since at least 1971.
Acquired from Rupert Wace Ancient Art Limited, Old Bond Street, London W1, UK, in 2001.
From the private collection of Mr M.R. Davis, Bristol, UK.

Accompanied by a copy of a stamped and signed Art Loss Register declaration dated 1st March 2001.
Accompanied by a copy of a conservation report by restorer David Singleton dated 26th June 2001.
Accompanied by a copy of the 23th February 2001 invoice (£34,000); a copy of the illustrated listing with reference number C230; plus communications regarding acquisition.
Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12339-224541.

Cf. Michalowski, K., Palmyre, Fouilles Polonaises, 1960, Warszawa-Paris, 1962, fig.192; Muzeum Narodowe w Warszawie, Sztuka Palmyry (Art of Palmyra), Warszawa, 1986, pls.10,23; Fortin, M., Syrie, terre de civilisations, Québec, 1999, figs.336-337; Gabucci, A. (ed.), Zenobia, il sogno di una regina d'oriente, Milano, 2002, no.25 (for the typology of the portrait).

The sculpture is a good example of 2nd-3rd century A.D. Palmyrene female funerary portrait types. The amount of jewellery displayed in these portraits could be a direct reflection of the wealth of the family, and certainly reflected the jewellery possessed by the owner of the grave.