LOT 0062

Larger Than Life-Size Greek Marble Draped Torso

HELLENISTIC PERIOD, CIRCA 4TH-1ST CENTURY B.C.

59 3/4 in. (Over 500 kg, 152 cm high).

Standing figure tightly wrapped in a himation with both hands clenching the fabric draped close to the body.

Prof. Dr. Ernst Berger (1928-2006), Basel, acquired between 1961-1993.
with Jean-David Cahn, Basel, 2009.
On loan to the Antikenmuseum und Sammlung Ludwig, Basel, 1993-2009.

Accompanied by an academic report by Professor Neritan Ceka.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12213-222441.

On loan to the Antikenmuseum und Sammlung Ludwig, Basel, 1993-2009.

For the type see Lewerentz, A., ‘Stehende männliche Gewandstatuen im Hellenismus‘, in Antiquitates Archäologische Forschungsergebnisse, Band 5, Hamburg, 1993, pp.18ff. and pp.241ff., nos.I, 1; I, 3; I, 4; I, 9; pls.1-8; Stewart, A., Hellenistic freestanding sculpture from the Athenian Agora, part. 1, Hesperia, 81, 2012, p.267-342.

Despite the damage, the statue appears to be a high quality piece of work by a virtuoso sculptor. The sparing use of strong movements and their diagonal contrast in the hand and foot placement suggests an early Hellenistic date for this type of sculpture, known from a few examples from Attica and the islands. Similar representations of women wearing the chiton and himation during the Hellenistic period are seen in the Tanagra type terracottas of the 4th century BC.