Roman Bone Spoon

A skilfully carved life-size marble head of a female (possibly Artemis, a Muse or an Amazon) with centrally parted hair composed of wavy strands and tied in a ponytail at the back; serene facial expression, almond-shaped eyes and small mouth with slightly parted lips; some restoration; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 14 kg total, 38 cm high including stand



Ex private collection, Monaco, 1960s-1970s. Acquired from the Monaco Fine Arts on 4th November 1992. Private collection of Mr & Mrs Daniel, Monaco. Acquired by the present owner from David Aaron Gallery in 2019. 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 searcher certificate number no.11569-197722.

The youthful head seems to be based on the Greek Attic Artemis Colonna type of the 4th century B.C. The composition of the head is powerful with a serene countenance, its physiognomy replete with the idealised quality characteristic of Greek classical sculpture. This classic influence is best seen in the perfect almond- shaped eyes with their sharply carved lids as well as the smooth contour of the face. The rich handling of the coiffure and the smooth quality of the face can suggest a date sometime during the Hadrianic (117 to 138 A.D.) or early Antonine periods.

A pair of bone dice with punched ring-and-dot numbering, each composed: 1:6; 2:5; 3:4. 3.4 grams total, 10 mm each

Fine condition.

German art market, 1990s. Mr A.H., a North American collector living in the UK.

A gold finger ring with flared shoulders, ellipsoid inset haematite intaglio profile bust of young Herakles. 6.63 grams, 21.95 mm overall, 16.32 mm internal diameter (approximate size British I, USA 4 1/4, Europe 7.44, Japan 7)



Private European collection, acquired 2001.