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_900x900.jpg "Over Life-Size Gallo-Roman Limestone Head of an Athlete")
_200x200.jpg "Over Life-Size Gallo-Roman Limestone Head of an Athlete")
.jpg "Over Life-Size Gallo-Roman Limestone Head of an Athlete")
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.
ProvenanceAcquired 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.
Cf. Powell, T.G.E., The Art of Roman Gaul, London, 1961, fig.104.
FootnotesThe 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.
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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LOT 0136
Over Life-Size Gallo-Roman Limestone Head of an Athlete
Sold for (Inc. bp): £5,720
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Roman Historic Cut & Polished Porphyry Slice Group
1st-5th century A.D. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £104
Comprising three lacquered porphyry slices of rectangular shape, cut on both faces and polished on one face; probably from recycled material mined in ancient Roman times between the 1st and 5th century A.D.; intended for use as inlay panels. 81 grams total, 5.8-12.2 cm
From Egypt. Ex Mineral Imports, London, UK. Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd (Gregory's).
Mons Porphyrites (today Jabal Abu Dukhkhan) is the mountainous site of a group of ancient quarries in the Red Sea Hills of the inhospitable eastern desert in Egypt, a five day trip from the Nile during Roman times. They were discovered by Caius Cominus Leugas in 18 A.D., and during the Roman Empire the mines officially belonged to the emperor and were the only known source of the Imperial Porphyry, Mons Porphyrites. This dark purple stone was associated with royalty and used for prestigious sculpture and architecture. The location of the mines was lost some time in the 5th century, and rediscovered in the early 19th century. Excavations in the area have revealed the well-preserved quarries and the dwelling places of the quarry men, and also thousands of ostraca have been discovered containing messages that provide details of how the quarrying took place, and of how the highly skilled quarrymen ordered their food. -
Roman 'East Anglia' Bronze Bust of Minerva
1st-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
Modelled in the round with crested helmet. 12.9 grams, 42 mm
Found whilst searching with a metal detector in East Anglia, UK. -
Romano-British 'Colchester' Buff Ware Jug
Circa 2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £338
Piriform jug with strap handle and stepped rim to the mouth; ol inked inscription to the underside: '2nd C. Jug / Excavated 21/3/76. 15 metres S.W. Balkerne gate / 3 metres below Road level. R. McCluskey'; repaired. 1.23 kg, 31.5 cm
Excavated near Balkerne Gate, Colchester, UK, on 21st March 1976, by R. McCluskey. From the collection of a late East Anglian teacher and antiquarian who retired to the Isle of Wight in Hampshire, UK. He amassed a large collection of objects between the 1960s-1980s.
