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LOT 0035
Bronze Bust with Phallus
ROMAN, 1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.
5 3/4 in. (377 grams total, 14.5 cm including stand).
Modelled as a grotesque male head, depicted clean-shaven and hairless apart from a small tuft of hair to the rear with a raised phallus above; the neck developing to a broad circular socket with flange rim; mounted on a custom-made display stand. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom an old Nevers collection, acquired before 1960.
Ex Hotel des Ventes de Nevers.
Property of a French collector.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12035-214900.
Cf. Esperandieu, E. & Rolland, H., Bronzes Antiques de la Seine Maritime, XIII Supplement a Gallia, Paris, 1959, no.178; Rolland, H., Bronzes Antiques de Haute Provence, Paris, 1965, item 196; see also the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession no.97.22.6.
FootnotesThe exact meaning of these grotesque busts surmounted by a phallus is disputed, although Rolland (p.106) believes that they originated in Alexandria among the priests of the cult of Isis. Similar busts have been discovered in the Roman Gallia, at Bavay and Strasbourg.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
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Old Kingdom, 4th-early 5th Dynasty, circa 2640-2480 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,380
Wearing a short wig, the eyes with incised cosmetic lines; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 4.58 kg total, 26.5 cm including stand
with Sotheby's, London, 5 July 1982, no.190. with Sotheby's, London, 13-14 December 1990, no.18. Acquired from the above sale by the late Robert Browne. Property of Ms L.F., London, UK. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate no.S00243674. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12073-217362.
