Loading, please wait...
_900x900.jpg "Roman Life-Size Marble Statue of an Important Magistrate")
_200x200.jpg "Roman Life-Size Marble Statue of an Important Magistrate")
.jpg "Roman Life-Size Marble Statue of an Important Magistrate")
LOT 0128
Roman Life-Size Marble Statue of an Important Magistrate
LATE 3RD-EARLY 4TH CENTURY A.D.
81 in. (700+ kg, 206 cm including base).
Clad in a symmetrically incised late Roman toga, which was originally painted; the right hand covered by the robe and resting against his chest, the now lost left hand probably held a rank symbol or a scroll; short hair, cut according to the style of the Tetrarchy, wide eyes and pronounced lips; beard extended under the chin and on the throat; crepida sandal of Greek typology still visible on the right foot.
ProvenanceAcquired by L.H., Munich, Germany, prior to 1982.
with H.v.C., Munich, Germany, in 1982, forming a central part of their family collection during the 1980s.
Thence by descent to his son, C.M., Switzerland.
Accompanied by a copy of a German cultural export licence.
Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
Accompanied by a geological report No. TL3253 by geology consultant Dr R. L. Bonewitz.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12089-211955.
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.
See Calza, R., Iconografia Romana Imperiale. Da Carausio a Giuliano (287-363 d. C.), Rome, 1972; L’Orange, H.P., Das spätantike Herrscherbild von Diokletian bis zu den Konstantin-Söhnen, 284-361 n. Chr. Das Römische Herrscherbild. III. Abteilung, Bd. 4, Berlin, 1984.
FootnotesThis statue of a Roman magistrate represents a high-ranking citizen with political and ritual responsibilities. The stylised facial features date it to the period of the Tetrachy under the Emperor Diocletian (284-305 A.D.), when representation of the human form began to show a concern for geometry and symmetry. A similar style can be seen in official portraits of Diocletian, Galerius, Constantinus Chlorus, and Maximianus Herculius. Despite the stylisation typical of the era, however, the sculptor of this lot has taken pains to add personal details, such as the dimpled chin and creased forehead. Its powerful resemblance to Imperial portraiture stems from the desire of magistrates to emulate emperors in the way they represented themselves. This is a piece of outstanding quality, and unlike other Late Roman sculptures, in which a portrait head is often attached to an earlier body, it appears to have been created as a whole. It shows exceptional attention to detail, including in the magistrate’s beautifully carved footwear. It is likely to represent an official of an Eastern Empire city, either in Greece or Illyria.
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:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
LOT 0128
Roman Life-Size Marble Statue of an Important Magistrate
Estimate £180,000 - 240,000€208,800 - 278,400 (for guidance only)$243,000 - 324,000 (for guidance only)
-
Roman Pale Green Glass Twin-Handled Jar
4th century A.D.Estimate: £800 - 1,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £400
With globular body, short neck and everted rim with a raised rib below, applied handles and dimpled base. 90 grams, 89 mm
Private collection Mrs G. W-V-H., Zurich, Switzerland. with Galerie Rhéa, Zurich, Switzerland. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
.jpg)
Roman Life-Size Marble Statue of an Important Magistrate
Late 3rd-early 4th century A.D.Estimate: £180,000 - 240,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £100,000
Clad in a symmetrically incised late Roman toga, which was originally painted; the right hand covered by the robe and resting against his chest, the now lost left hand probably held a rank symbol or a scroll; short hair, cut according to the style of the Tetrarchy, wide eyes and pronounced lips; beard extended under the chin and on the throat; crepida sandal of Greek typology still visible on the right foot. 700+ kg, 206 cm including base
Fine condition. An impressive museum-quality display piece.
Acquired by L.H., Munich, Germany, prior to 1982. with H.v.C., Munich, Germany, in 1982, forming a central part of their family collection during the 1980s. Thence by descent to his son, C.M., Switzerland. Accompanied by a copy of a German cultural export licence. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. Accompanied by a geological report No. TL3253 by geology consultant Dr R. L. Bonewitz. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12089-211955. 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.
This statue of a Roman magistrate represents a high-ranking citizen with political and ritual responsibilities. The stylised facial features date it to the period of the Tetrachy under the Emperor Diocletian (284-305 A.D.), when representation of the human form began to show a concern for geometry and symmetry. A similar style can be seen in official portraits of Diocletian, Galerius, Constantinus Chlorus, and Maximianus Herculius. Despite the stylisation typical of the era, however, the sculptor of this lot has taken pains to add personal details, such as the dimpled chin and creased forehead. Its powerful resemblance to Imperial portraiture stems from the desire of magistrates to emulate emperors in the way they represented themselves. This is a piece of outstanding quality, and unlike other Late Roman sculptures, in which a portrait head is often attached to an earlier body, it appears to have been created as a whole. It shows exceptional attention to detail, including in the magistrate’s beautifully carved footwear. It is likely to represent an official of an Eastern Empire city, either in Greece or Illyria. -
Roman Legion XIII 'Battle of Munda' Lead Slingshot
1st century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £715
Fusiform with reserved legend 'LXIII' (for LEGIO XIII = 13th Legion). 55.9 grams, 41 mm
Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a gentleman collector. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
The shot (Völling type 1C) is marked with the abbreviated name of Legion XIII, and was probably used at the Battle of Munda (or Monda) against Julius Caesar, 17th March 45 B.C., or against the sons of Pompey, because both the generals (Pompey sons and Caesar) had in their army a Legio with the numeral XIII on that day. Interestingly, other glandes of the same typology from the same battlefield bear the name of Pompey, so that it is much possible that the glans belongs to the Legio XIII of Pompey, who was destroyed during the battle and whose survivors were massacred among the 22,000 defenders of Cordoba by the troops of Caesar (D'Amato, 2021, pp.421 and 424). The projectiles were made of different materials: lead (glandes) or in pottery or stone (lapides missiles).
