LOT 0184

Roman Bronze Figure of Apollo

CIRCA 1ST CENTURY A.D.

7 1/2 in. (700 grams, 19 cm).

Standing nude with a cloak draped over his left shoulder and fastened on the right shoulder, baring the weight on his right foot with the left leg bent at the knee with the heel raised; the right arm extended and holding the remains of an attribute, the left arm bent at the elbow; his head turned slightly to the right with long luxurious hair swept back and gathered at the nape of the neck; set on a circular socle base; stripped and repainted.

Private collection, France, acquired at Mythes ét Légendes, 18 Place des Vosges, Paris, 14 May 1980.
Anonymous sale: ex Jean Roudillon, Hôtel des Ventes de Belfort SARL, 22 October 2011, no.9.
with Christie's, London, 2 April 2014, no.91.

Accompanied by copies of the relevant Christie's catalogue pages.
Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate no.S0007570.
Accompanied by a copy of French passport no.132675 dated 7 December 2011.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12360-226681.

Cf. Rolland, H., Bronzes Antiques de Haute Provence, XVIII supplément à ‘Gallia’, Paris, 1965, no.17, same type without cloak; see also Reinach, S., Répertoire de la statuaire grecque et romaine, Paris, 1897, p.83, nos.3-4, 84, no.8, for the archaic prototypes.

The figurine is of archaic style; it is probably a provincial work of a Gallo-Roman workshop. The prototype can be seen in the Apollo of Naxos in the Berlin Museum. The style of posture and movement can also be seen in the archaic bronzes of Falterona, the Louvre and Athens.