LOT 0142

Large Roman Marble Garland Sarcophagus Panel with Theatrical Mask and Eros, the Greek God of Love

CIRCA 135 A.D.

19 x 22 3/8 in. (72.95 kg, 48 x 57 cm).

From the right end of an ornate sarcophagus, carved dramatic theatrical mask in the centre with open mouth and drilled eyes, the forehead morticed for an attachment, a garland of leaves below; the right end tied to a boukranion, the left supported by a winged Eros; reverse with apsidal recess.

Private collection, New York.
with Christie's, New York, 7th December 1995, no.118.
Christie's, New York, April 29th, 2019, no.189.
Acquired at the above sale.
with Sotheby's, 17 December 2020, no.80.

The opposite short side of the same sarcophagus was sold at Sotheby's, New York, November 28th, 1990, no.104, and is now in a New York private collection.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13116-249668.

Cf. Helga Herdejürgen, Stadtrömische und italische Girlandensarkophage (Die antiken Sarkophagreliefs, vol. VI.2,1), Berlin, 1996, no.47, p.108, pl.16.5 - the short side of a sarcophagus showing erotes holding garlands, carved in relief with a frontal tragic mask set within a swag of deeply-drilled oak leaves and acorns suspended between the corner erote and a stylised bucranium, the remaining section of the front carved with a fragmentary line of Latin inscription reading fece]runt ("[they] had it made", in the plural) above the erote, a vertical channel cutting across the top of the mask for attachment of the lid with a metal clamp.