Details

LOT 0521

Etruscan Relief Fragment with Papposilenus

CIRCA 5TH CENTURY B.C.

7 1/8 in. (1.53 kg, 18 cm).

Roughly bell-shaped in profile with scooped rear face and socket to base; rim to upper edge above facing image of a grotesque bearded male with arms angled and hands on his wrinkled abdomen. legs bent to each side, genitals resting on a stele; old collector's label 'L-16434' to top; Etruscan or Italic.

Provenance

The Erotica Collection Christian von Faber-Castell, Küsnacht ZH, Switzerland, since the late 1970s.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Published

'Kunst und Handwerk der Antike', Auction 15, Basel, 2 December 1983, no.197.

Footnotes

Christian von Faber-Castell (born 1950) is a renowned German entrepreneur and art collector, best known as a member of the prominent Faber-Castell family, famed for their iconic writing instruments. A passionate advocate for art and culture, Christian von Faber-Castell curated an extensive and diverse private collection of erotica, spanning centuries and cultures. His collection reflects a deep appreciation for the interplay of beauty, sensuality, and artistic expression, bringing together rare and unique works that explore themes of intimacy and human connection. Pieces from this collection have been featured in notable exhibitions and are celebrated for their artistic and historical significance. This offering represents a rare opportunity to acquire works from one of the most fascinating and eclectic private collections of its kind.