LOT 0163

Eastern Roman Marble Fragments from a Sarcophagus

3RD-4TH CENTURY A.D.

8 1/2 - 11 3/4 in. (36.8 kg total, 21.6-30 cm including stand).

Two rectangular fragments from a sarcophagus in classical style, comprising: an element serving as a corner, with the left part raised and decorated inside with floral and vegetal ornaments, enclosed within a border, on the base a griffin's head in low-relief; the body decorated with vertical streaks alternating with vegetal elements; a second element consisting of a slightly convex body, with a sculpted decoration in low-relief depicting a putto armed with a bow and his dog hunting a rearing deer; vegetal elements in the background. [2]

with Hermann Historica, Munchen, 19 October 2005, no.197.
Private collection, UK.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12760-237142.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Cf. for a relief in similar style representing a deer hunting in Mut i Arbos, J., ‘The symbolism of Love and Death in the Coliseum by Alma-Tadema’ in Polysèmes, 29, 2003, pp.1-21, fig.9.

Many sarcophagi from Roman times depict hunting scenes. As a rule, the main figure among the hunters is on the sarcophagus itself, riding a horse; other hunters may also be on horseback. Non-standard types could have been chosen for the depiction of the hunt, like erotes hunting animals. The popularity of scenes depicting figures such as playful erotes and mythological couples lasted until the early 4th century, eventually waning in favour of scenes that displayed the aristocrat’s wealth and property.