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LOT 0138
Roman Marble Janiform Herm Head of Ariadne and a Maenad
1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.
11 3/8 in. (12.6 kg, 29 cm high).
Carved architectural element depicting a double herm comprising: a diademed female bust with long wavy hair framing the face, slender features with small mouth and raised lids; the other side with a diademed female with hair arranged in neat curls on the forehead, large eyes and small mouth, taenia shown on each side of the neck; base reworked with drilled sockets for mounting.
ProvenanceOld collection, acquired in the 1970s.
Acquired by inheritance from Mr N.S.
Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Marina Mattei and Dr Laura Maria Vigna.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12084-211893.
Cf. Mansuelli, G.A., Galleria degli Uffizi, Le Sculture, Parte l, Roma, 1958, pp. 159-160, n. L32; Sciarra, B., Brindisi. Il Museo Archeologico Comunale, Brindisi, 1976, p. 8, n. 34; Bonanno, A., Un gruppo diermette decorative a Malta, in ArchCl 29, 1977, pp.399-410, tavv. LL2-LL6, specialmente p. 402; Faedo L., Camposanto Monumentale di Pisa, Le Antichità, ll, a cura di Salvatore Settis, Modena, 1984, p.178, n. 81; Moreno, P., Viacava, A., I Marmi Antichi della Galleria Borghese, Roma, 2003, pp. 767-168, n.138.
FootnotesThe head with elaborately curled hair and diadem could represent Ariadne, as shown by comparisons with a fragment of a two-faced herm with bearded Dionysus and Ariadne preserved in the Antiquarium Ostiense, dated to the lmperial Roman age. The heads could be interpreted either as Ariadne and a Maenad, or as two Maenads being characterised by the diadem and long taeniae. The association of these figures with Dionysus is congruent with the typology of the herm, which refers to rural places and theatres. Numerous herms in fact attest that this type of sculpture was used in contexts linked to Dionysus and his sacred procession as well as, obviously, the representation of Ariadne, his female partner and double.
The example fits into the class of domestic sculpture with a decorative function, mostly used to adorn peristyles and viridaria; the type placed at the crown of columns and pillars is quite documented, in particular in the version with the head of Dionysus contrasted with that of Ariadne
or a Maenad.
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LOT 0138
Roman Marble Janiform Herm Head of Ariadne and a Maenad
Estimate £20,000 - 30,000€23,200 - 34,800 (for guidance only)$27,000 - 40,500 (for guidance only)
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Roman Terracotta Oil Lamp with Frontal Bust
2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
With brown slip, loop handle to the rear, the discus with a facing bust of a young woman within a concentric circle border; maker's mark 'LCΛPΓ' within tabula ansata-shaped stamp. 63 grams, 10.2 cm
Acquired on the European art market, 1980s. English private collection.
The discus decorations of these lamps are various: Diana, Dioscuri, Sol and Luna, Africa, Lares, and griffin; portraits of Domitian, Hadrian, male head, bust of a young man, bust of a young woman (our specimen), bust of a bearded old man, fisherman, and an aulete; scorpion, boar, and lion with crocodile; etc. They were an African production and not less than seven worskshops have been individuated: M N O V I V, M N O V I V S T (our case) , M N O V I V S T I , I V N I A L E X I, C C O R V R S , E X F N A / LV C C E I O R V M . Here we can add LCAPIT (Lucius Capito). -
Roman Bronze Double Phallic Amulet
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Comprising a rectangular plaque with raised sides, and socket, two lateral pivot-lugs, one spike finial and one hand in the fica gesture. 8.83 grams, 53 mm
Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s. -
Roman Bronze Brooch and Other Item Group
3rd century A.D. and earlierSold for (Inc. bp): £85
Mixed group including P-shaped bow brooches, Langton Down type brooch, flint scraper with old label 'Clactonian/Bainfield/Swanscombe/1916' and other items. 143 grams total, 29-60 mm
Property of a Gloucestershire, UK, collector. Property of an East Sussex, UK, gentleman.
