Loading, please wait...
LOT 0104
Colossal Roman Head of Diana
1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.
28 3/8 in. (72 cm high including stand).
A colossal architectural limestone head of the goddess Diana (Greek Artemis) with elegant features, sensual lips and deep eyes; detailed treatment of the hairstyle in transverse braids across the brow, laurel wreath with two rows of leaves resting above the forehead; mounted on a custom-made display stand.
ProvenanceEx private Belgian collection.
with Madame Andree Mace collection.
English private collection.
Accompanied by an academic report by Prof. Neritan Ceka.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11625-199748.
See Bartman, E., Hair and the Artifice of Roman Female Adornment in American Journal of Archaeology Vol. 105, No. 1 (Jan 2001), pp.1-25, for discussion of Roman hairstyling in its social context; Fischer-Hansen, T. & Poulsen, B. (eds.), From Artemis to Diana: the goddess of man and beast. Collegium Hyperboreum and Museum Tusculanum Press, Copenhagen, 2009.
FootnotesThe upper part of the head, cut horizontally, creates a semi-circular surface, on which the rest of the hair, or an architectonic capital, may have been mounted. A T-shaped indentation on that surface served to secure that attachment. The back of the head, cut perpendicularly, proves that the head was made to repose on an architectural surface. The fragmentary preservation of the neck does not allow a clear determination, whether we are dealing with the head of a caryatid, i.e. the head of a sculpture in the function of a pilaster, or whether the colossal head was an architectural stone corbel, i.e. an architectural element that was placed for the support of the sima of a building of great size.
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
AUCTIONS:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
LOT 0104
Colossal Roman Head of Diana
Estimate £15,000 - 20,000€17,400 - 23,200 (for guidance only)$20,250 - 27,000 (for guidance only)
-
Roman Gold Ring with Bird Gemstone
2nd century A.D.Estimate: £400 - 600 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £200
A slender gold finger ring with inset green glass intaglio of a perching bird. 2.00 grams. 14.97 mm overall, 13.23 mm internal diameter
Acquired at Auction. English private collection. -
Roman 'Thames' Samian Ware Stamped Fragment Group
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
A group of six Samian ware vessel bases labelled 'a-f', each stamped to the interior base; accompanied by an information sheet identifying the relevant workshop and approximate date: 'a. COSRVF Cosivs and Rufinus South Gaul late 1st century; b.Caddiron Caddiron Langres ?; c. BALBINVS F Balbinus (Fecit) Lubie early 2nd century; d.TITVRONIS O Tituro (officina workshop) Central Gaul early 2nd century; e. ALBVS F Albus Central Gaul early 2nd century; f. ]IVCVN ?'. 328 grams total, 4.2-13.7 cm
Found Billingsgate spoil from the Thames foreshore, London, UK. Acquired on the UK antiques market between 1974-1985. Albert Ward collection, Essex, UK. Accompanied by a typed original identification document from the Museum of London dated 29th August 1984. -
Roman Fresco Painted Wall Plaster Collection
1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
A mixed group of coarse white wall plaster fragments from a fresco, with painted designs in white, ochre, claret, crimson and blue. 10 kg total, 7.4-12 cm
Fair condition.
Acquired in the 19th century. Jeger collection, Switzerland. Property of an English gentleman.