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LOT 1027
Roman Gemstone with Female Portrait
1ST CENTURY B.C.-1ST CENTURY A.D.
3/8 in. (0.41 grams, 9 mm).
Ellipsoid in plan with intaglio profile female bust.
ProvenanceFrom the collection of a London, UK, gentleman, 1970s onwards.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
Cf. for a gemstone representing Athena stylistically similar Yildizhan, A. ‘a new mound site and necropolis in Nevsehir in the light of a gemme and other finds: Belkuyu’ in Lafli, E., Çetingöz, A., Veziroglu, E.M., Thoen, U., Izmir, 2021, pp.105-106, fig.1.
FootnotesBased on similarities with coins and sculptures, the gemstone could date to the Late Hellenistic or Early Roman period. These similarities can be seen in the strongly marked lines of the dress, the pronounced shape of the mouth, and the squareness of the nose.
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 Bronze Penannular Brooch
3rd-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Diamond-section penannular body with scrolled finials and a round-section tapering pin. 4.12 grams, 35 mm
Ex European collection, 1990s. Ex Cambridgeshire, UK, collection. -
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Roman Gold Child's Ring
3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
With broad hoop, incised lines to shoulders, plaque with cell. 1.06 grams, 13.02 mm overall, 11.30 mm internal diameter
Acquired from Brigantia Antiques, York, UK, in the early 1990s. Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985. -
Monumental Roman Marble Head of a Greek Philosopher, Probably Diogenes
1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £46,800
Carved in the round bust of a cynical, mature philosopher with short tousled hair and thick beard, exaggerated protruding eyes and gaunt facial features, the mouth modelled slightly open as if the subject is in pain; mounted on a custom-made stand. 47.6 kg total, 60 cm including stand
Private collection, Paris, 1980s. European private collection. Accompanied by a copy of French passport no.237041. Accompanied by an academic report by Professor Neritan Ceka. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12610-234690. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
The portrait head was initially meant to be assembled on a statue. Chisel marks at the neck level indicate a relatively late separation of the head from the body, which must have been twice its natural size. The working of the back of the head suggests that the sculpture was exposed only to the front. The search for realistic traits brings this head close to the Hellenistic portraits of the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC, representing socially disadvantaged people of different ages and situations, such as fishermen and peasants, in the so-called genre sculptures. This presentation would be in contrast to the supernatural proportions of the portrait, which should have represented an elderly, publicly known person, poet, or philosopher, exhibited in his city of origin. In this respect, it would be more suited to the representation of a Cynical philosopher, in the model of Diogenes of Villa Albani. The almond-shaped eyes without drilled pupils, engraved eyes, and the absence of a deep drilling technique on hair date the portrait between the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD.
