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LOT 0130
Life-Size Roman Marble Sleeping Girl from a Sarcophagus Lid
2ND CENTURY A.D.
43 1/4 in. (46 in.) (104 kg, 110 cm long (120 kg, 117 cm including stand)).
Modelled in the half-round, nude with eyelids half-closed in sleep; a drapery partly covering the head and wrapping around the lower body under the hips; the hairstyle similar to those of the Antonine Dynasty, the peaceful face supported by the hands and the ear pierced to accept an earring; iron reinforcing rod to the feet and the right arm's armilla a later replacement; upper head restored in Parian marble.
ProvenanceAcquired from G. Rihani, 1987.
English private collection.
Accompanied by a copy of the purchase invoice, 2 July 1987.
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.12231-218595
Cf. a similar statue of a sleeping girl in Galleria Borghese, Rome, inv.no.XIV, 140-160 A.D. in Moreno, P., Stefani, Ch., Galleria Borghese, Milano, 2000, p.38, n.6a.
FootnotesThe girl shows exotic features, evocative of Roman North Africa, where a mixed Romano-Berber population lived in one of the richest provinces of the Empire. However, the hairstyle refers to those of the Antonine Dynasty, such as the portraits of the Empress Faustina the Elder. It represents probably a sarcophagus lid of a young noble girl, commissioned by her loving parents. Some restorations, today still visible, were done in ancient times: an iron rod at the feet for reinforcement, the armilla on the right arm sculpted at a later stage, the hole in the ear for the insertion of a lost metal or glass earring, the upper part of the head restored in antique with a portion of Parian marble. The sculpture is a Roman work, but it was inspired by a Hellenistic model, probably from Pergamon.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0130
Life-Size Roman Marble Sleeping Girl from a Sarcophagus Lid
Sold for (Inc. bp): £20,800
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Roman 'Lancashire' Jet Dice Gaming Piece
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
Cuboid with incised ring-and-dot markings disposed 1:6, 2:4, 3:5; old collector's label '12' to one face and record card; abraded through usage. 3.24 grams, 13 mm
Found Lancashire, UK. From the important private collection of dice and gaming pieces of Colin Narbeth, London, UK, collection no.12. Accompanied by a Colin Narbeth catalogue identification card. -
Roman Silver Gilt Bow Brooch
1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
Reversed fantail type with ribbed bulbs above and below the bow formed as three plain bulbs, pelta-shaped foot with long catch to the reverse, spring and pin intact. 17.9 grams, 38 mm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. -
Etruscan Bronze Robed Figure
3rd-2nd century B.C.Estimate: £1,000 - 1,400 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £500
Female with hair drawn up in a chignon, palla wrapped tightly around the upper body hiding the right arm bent with the hand at the shoulder, lower hem of robe flared; fixing lug to underside. 86 grams, 71 mm
Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s.
This is a figurine of a deity of difficult interpretation representing an ex-voto. This typology is widespread in the votive offerings of Etrusco-Roman sanctuaries, and by analogy with various statuettes could represent Ceres or Pomona.
