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LOT 0195
Roman Bronze Statuette of Hermes
2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.
4 in. (100 grams total, 10 cm including stand).
Standing nude with left leg bent, arms extended, mantle draped from the right shoulder, hair combed forward from the crown; mounted on a custom-made stand. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom 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.
Cf. Rolland, H., Bronzes Antiques de Haute Provence, Paris, 1965, item 38, for type.
FootnotesDespite the lack of specific attributes related to Hermes, the pose of the statue, with the right hand advanced to hold the sacculus, the cloak thrown over the right shoulder and then folded over the left would lean towards an interpretation of the statuette as an ex voto related to the god of thieves. The statuette seems to originate from a Gallo-Roman workshop. A similar drapery on the chest is also found on a Mercury/Hermes in the Museum of Besancon.
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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Roman Glass Bangle Group
2nd-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
Comprising: triangular-section blue glass bangle with applied twisted bichrome trails; olive-green D-section bangle. 59 grams total, 89-90 mm
From a family collection mostly formed in the 1940s-1950s, thence by descent. -
Roman Bone Dice Pair
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £390
Each cuboid with ring-and-dot markings disposed 1:6, 2:5, 3:4. 6.8 grams total, 11-12 mm
Acquired on the UK art market before 2000. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman. -
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A Fine Life-Sized Eastern Roman Bust of a Wealthy Lady
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £28,600
Finely carved in hard white limestone; the facial features framed by swept-back locks of wavy hair enclosed by a loosely draped palla headdress held onto a low turban by a segmented diadem with high-relief ornament, with drop earrings at the sides; a necklace of graduated beads at the throat, soft fabric stola covering the chest and shoulders; the arched brows above large almond-shaped eyes with carefully worked pupils, small pert mouth with full lips, smooth cheeks and brow; unworked to the reverse; mounted on a custom-made stand. 29.95 kg, 50 cm including stand
From a private UK collection, since at least 1971. Acquired from Rupert Wace Ancient Art Limited, Old Bond Street, London W1, UK, in 2001. From the private collection of Mr M.R. Davis, Bristol, UK. Accompanied by a copy of a stamped and signed Art Loss Register declaration dated 1st March 2001. Accompanied by a copy of a conservation report by restorer David Singleton dated 26th June 2001. Accompanied by a copy of the 23th February 2001 invoice (£34,000); a copy of the illustrated listing with reference number C230; plus communications regarding acquisition. 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 no.12339-224541.
The sculpture is a good example of 2nd-3rd century A.D. Palmyrene female funerary portrait types. The amount of jewellery displayed in these portraits could be a direct reflection of the wealth of the family, and certainly reflected the jewellery possessed by the owner of the grave.
