Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 0136

Over Life-Size Gallo-Roman Limestone Head of an Athlete

3RD-4TH CENTURY A.D.

13 3/4 in. (16.35 kg total, 35 cm including stand).

With short hair, cut and combed in regular lines, furrowed brow and wide deep-set eyes, small fleshy mouth, intense and powerful expression; weather-worn surface; mounted on a later 18th century stand.

Provenance

Acquired in the 1930s.
From the family collection of Mr F. Morand, France.
From the M.J. collection, Wales, UK.

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 a search certificate number no.12070-217746.

Literature

Cf. Powell, T.G.E., The Art of Roman Gaul, London, 1961, fig.104.

Footnotes

The head shows a late Roman appearance in its features and hairstyle. The expression, the short thick neck and the style of the hair combined with the somewhat uncouth and forceful expression may indicate a local Gallo-Roman character.

CONDITION

VETTING:

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.

LOT 0136

Over Life-Size Gallo-Roman Limestone Head of an Athlete

Sold for (Inc. bp): £5,720

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • Roman Silver Eagle and Lamb Mount
    Roman Silver Eagle and Lamb Mount
    1st-4th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £416

    Modelled in the round on a trapezoidal plaque, the eagle gripping a lamb in its powerful claws, head raised and wings crossed; suspension loop absent. 8.53 grams, 27 mm



    Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. From the family collection of Mr S.A., Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection since the late 1990s.

    Lot Details

  • Roman Bronze Triskele Brooch
    Roman Bronze Triskele Brooch
    1st century B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £234

    Comprising an openwork body with a three radiating running legs, central Medusa head with wings to the crown, the design from the reverse of a Republican denarius; catchplate and pin-lugs to the reverse. 14 grams, 40 mm



    Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman.

    Lot Details

  • Roman Bronze Statuette of Helios-Alexander
    Roman Bronze Statuette of Helios-Alexander
    2nd-3rd century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,820

    The god standing nude on an ivy-leaf base in contrapposto pose with right arm extended and hand held palm-outwards; mantle pinned at the right shoulder and wrapped around the bent left arm; the head held erect with soft rounded facial features and luxuriant curls, diadem with radiating spikes representing beams of light; mounting stud to the reverse; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 583 grams total, 17.5 cm including stand



    From 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.

    The cult of Helios-Apollo intensified in the third century A.D. and the adoration of Sol Invictus, with the radiate crown, was often linked to that of Mithras, the god of legions, whose symbol was the bull. Under Emperor Aurelian, the Sol Invictus became the main god, protector of Rome and the Roman state.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list