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_900x900.jpg "Large Roman Marble Bull's Head Sculpture")
_200x200.jpg "Large Roman Marble Bull's Head Sculpture")
_900x900.jpg "Large Roman Marble Bull's Head Sculpture")
_200x200.jpg "Large Roman Marble Bull's Head Sculpture")
.jpg "Large Roman Marble Bull's Head Sculpture")
.jpg "Large Roman Marble Bull's Head Sculpture")
LOT 0145
Large Roman Marble Bull's Head Sculpture
CIRCA 2ND CENTURY B.C.- 2ND CENTURY A.D.
20 in. (98 kg, 51 cm).
Life-size bull's head (bucranium) on a rectangular field with flattened upper face and small ledge overhang; modelled in the half-round with detailed eyes, muzzle and dewlap, plain background; tooled texture to the forehead and dewlap; Eastern Empire. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000.
From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.
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.12081-213373.
Cf. similar item in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, under accession no.99.17; for various similar examples s. Mendel, G., Catalogue des sculptures grecques, romaines et byzantines, Constantinople, 1914, nos.1151 (381), 1164-1166 (300,1152,1139), 1282-1283 (2015-2016), vol.III, pp.493-494.
FootnotesThe bucranium was used as a prominent motif on the exterior of Graeco-Roman temples where it replaced the use of genuine severed heads from the sacrificial rites. Garlands were draped over the heads on feast-days and occasions of special religious observance. The flattened upper face suggests an architectural use, perhaps as a corbel.
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:
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Roman Bronze Folding Tripod Table with Busts of Bacchus and Panther
2nd century A.D.Estimate: £25,000 - 35,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £11,111
With three extendable legs each topped with bust of Bacchus, his long hair collected in a crown of vine leaves and branches, wearing a panther skin exomis; the feet formed as feline paws; the middle part of the frontal leg formed as an S-curve topped with a panther's head with open jaws. 9.9 kg, 101 cm
Traces of gilding over all the whole surface, fine condition, restored, excessively rare.
Ex collection of Dr Djafari (1900-1981), Kaiserslautern, Germany. 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.11801-206499.
Folding tripod stands were well known in the ancient world, in both Greek and Roman contexts. These folding supports for tables, bracers and cauldrons are known finds from important excavations in the Roman world, like Pompeii. The purpose of such folding stands varied: during the meal they were placed between the triclinary beds, and bowls and application plates were hung to the hooks at the back of the holders, here shaped like the heads of a Bacchus. They were also used for the fire in military encampments, or in the temples of the gods. Others were used as the support frames for bronze bowls, either for washing or for ritual purposes. Many were offered as funerary gifts, like the splendid example in the chariot grave of Környe. Roman folding tripods were also used in religious rituals (here clearly linked to the cult of the god of wine, as shown by the presence of panthers) and sacrifices. Burnt offerings and libations were offered to the gods in cauldrons that would have been attached to the hooks behind the heads on the upper section. -
Roman Cobalt Blue Glass Wine Beaker
Circa 2nd century A.D.Estimate: £2,000 - 3,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,000
Wheel-cut with a narrow base and cylindrical body with gently tapering walls, concentric line decoration to the rim, body and around the base; in exquisite deep colour. 67.6 grams, 56 mm
Previously with a London, UK, gallery, 1990s. Ex JL collection Surrey, UK, early 2000s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12035-214140. -
Roman Marble Head of a Bearded Man
2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,210
Carved in the round and probably from a life-size statue or bust of philosopher; depicting an adult male with short tousled hair and a longer 'rim' of wavy tresses at the brow; short curly beard descending to the neck; broad brow with deep-set lentoid eyes; possibly Hadrian, repaired and weather-worn. 13.3 kg, 27 cm
By repute found near Hadrian's Wall, UK. From a collection acquired on the UK art market, circa 1999. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.
This head of bearded man, from a statue or bust probably representing a philosopher, is very similar to the representation of the Emperor Antoninus Pius, and though not imperial, can be dated to his age. The bust produces a convincing illustration of how faithful subjects tried to resemble their contemporary Caesars. Although damaged and blackened by some fire or bad weather conditions, the bust of man is distinguished by its perfect execution and good craftmanship.
