Roman Floor Mosaic Section

Modelled standing nude with a mantle over his shoulders, winged petasos on his head; mounted on a custom-made stand. 291 grams, 12.2 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 many statuettes of Mercury found in France and Italy offer many variations: Mercury is sometimes entirely naked, recalling the models of the 4th century B.C., but much more often he wears a paenula or a chlamys rolled up on his left arm. His head can be uncovered, adorned with two wings or covered by the petasos.

Formed as two addorsed heads with a short cylindrical neck and flaring mouth; both heads with abundant hair framing the face. 57 grams, 99 mm high



Formerly in North American collection, 1990s. Ex Lyon and Turnbull, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Carved in the half-round wearing flat-topped priest's cap with laurel wreath detailing and medallion, naïve facial features with exaggerated lentoid eyes and soft modelled cheeks and mouth; mounted on a custom-made stand. 7.5 kg total, 26.5 cm including stand



Previously in the private collection of Mr Pierre Bart (1889-1964), an official of the French Mandate in Syria and Lebanon (1919-1936), and delegate to the Lebanese government until 1946. Thence by descent in 1964 to his daughter Lucienne Amirault who brought the inherited collection with her to France from Beirut on 11th October 1976. Accompanied by inventory list from 11 October 1976. Accompanied by a copy of a previous six page catalogue document. Accompanied by a copy of a signed Art Loss Register declaration no.S00218486. Accompanied by French cultural passport no.233598. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12399-225440.