Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 0096
Hellenistic Terracotta Head of a Youth
3RD CENTURY B.C.
9 1/4 in. (1.40 kg total, 23.5 cm high including stand).
Tousled curly hair, strong aquiline nose and full mouth; the deep eyes marked by raised eyelids and prominent semi-circular eyebrows; the hair arranged in overlapping rows of locks; repaired; mounted on a later porphyry plinth.
Provenance
From the estates of the late Adrian Stanford and Norman St John-Stevas, Baron St John of Fawsley.
with the previous owner since 1982.
with Christie's, London, South Kensington, 22 February 2017, lot 10.
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 number no.11774-204595.
Literature
Cf. Moreno, P., ‘L’immagine di Alessandro Magno nell’opera di Lisippo e di altri artisti’ in Alexander the Great, 1993, pp.101-136; Moreno, P. (ed.), Lisippo, l’arte e la fortuna, catalogo della mostra, Roma-Milano, 1995; Alfano, C. (ed.), Alessandro Magno, Storia e Mito, Martellago, 1995; L Frumusa, G., ‘Alessandro Magno, Eracle e la Leonté nella Glittica Ellenistica e Romana’ in LANX, 3, December 2009, pp.13-35; cf. also portrait of Alexander the Great in the Athens Archaeological Museum in Bieber, M., Alexander the Great in Greek and Roman Art, 1964, p.52, fig.37, pl.XX.
Footnotes
The head represents a Hellenistic portrait of a young man, whose characteristics seem to suggest a reference to a youthful portrait of Alexander the Great. Another possibility is that it represents the portrait of Alexander’s companion, Hephaestion.
CONDITIONVETTING:
TimeLine 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.
RELATED LOTS
-
Mycenaean Painted Pottery Alabastron
13th-11th century B.C.Estimate: £2,000 - 3,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,000
Drum-shaped with a sloping shoulder, short neck, trumpet-style neck and mouth and a gently rounded base; three loop handles at regular intervals around the shoulder; reddish-brown painted geometric bands and cross-hatching against a cream slip. 190 grams, 93 mm wide
Ex private collection, Holland. Acquired from Royal Athena Gallery, 2003. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11852-206835. -
Scythian Bronze Eagle's Head Pendant
Circa 6th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Formed with stylised features including a hooked beak and large circular eye; suspension loop to reverse. 3.24 grams, 21 mm
Acquired in the 1960s. Private collection, Wein, Austria. Ex private Merseyside, UK, collection, since 2014. Accompanied by an old identification ticket. -
Greek Gold Eros Earrings
3rd-2nd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £598
Each composed of a slender wire hoop and a winged Eros plaque with detailing to the body, face and hair; closure loop to reverse. 3.24 grams total, 21 mm each
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.