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_900x900.jpg "Roman Marble Portrait Head of Gaius Caesar")
_200x200.jpg "Roman Marble Portrait Head of Gaius Caesar")
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LOT 0140
Roman Marble Portrait Head of Gaius Caesar
AUGUSTAN, CIRCA 5 B.C.-1 A.D.
19 in. (17.4 kg total, 48 cm high including stand).
Modelled in the round probably using Parian marble, head of a youth depicted turning slightly to his left, hair trimmed in the Julian style; believed to be of Gaius Iulius Caesar Vipsanianus (20 B.C.- 4 A.D.); mounted on a custom-made stand.
ProvenanceAcquired on the London art market in the 1970s by the previous owner’s late father.
with Christie’s London, 25 April 2007, no.260.
UK private collection, London.
Anonymous sale, Bonhams, London, 16 April 2015, no.130.
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 a search certificate number no.163499-10061.
Cf. Toynbee, J.M.C., Roman Historical Portraits, London, 1978, p.133, 162; La Rocca, E., 'Rom als Vorbild für Pompeji: Aspekte der Kolonisierung' in Pompeji wiederentdeckt: Antikenmuseum Basel und Sammlung Ludwig, Rome, 1994, pp.27-50; Hurlet, F., Les collègues du prince sous Auguste et Tibère. De la légalité républicaine à la légitimité dynastique, Rome : École Française de Rome, 1997, pp.5-692. (Publications de l'École française de Rome, 227); La Rocca, E., Ensoli S., Aurea Roma, dalla città pagana alla città cristiana, Roma, 2000; La Rocca, E. (ed.), Augusto (catalogue exhibition), Milano, 2013.
FootnotesGaius Caesar (20 B.C.-4 A.D.) and his brother Lucius Caesar (17 B.C.-2 A.D.) held significant positions in the political and dynastic plans of Emperor Augustus. Born to Augustus' daughter Julia and his advisor Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, they were adopted by Augustus in 17 B.C. to become his heirs, since he lacked natural-born sons. Portraits of the brothers depicted them as resembling Augustus, indicating their importance within the imperial family. Gaius' portraits were classified into five types, with this head identified as Type IV, likely created in 1 A.D. to celebrate his consulship. A similar portrait of Gaius exists in Corinth alongside his brother and Augustus. In 1 B.C., Gaius was appointed to govern the eastern provinces, where he successfully negotiated a peace treaty with Parthia's King Phraates V. However, tragedy struck when Gaius fell ill in Anatolia and died at 23, following the death of his brother Lucius. These deaths disrupted Augustus' plans for succession and led him to adopt Tiberius, his stepson, who eventually became emperor in 14 A.D.
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
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LOT 0140
Roman Marble Portrait Head of Gaius Caesar
Estimate £30,000 - 40,000€34,800 - 46,400 (for guidance only)$40,500 - 54,000 (for guidance only)
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Bronze Roman Coin and Limited Edition Framed Print
3rd century A.D. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £20
The barbarous radiate coin of emperor Victorinus (c.268-c.271 A.D.) mounted on 22 carat gold foil, framed with an art print signed by the artist David McAllister, depicting scenes of Roman military activity; limited edition number 224/1150. 1.25 kg, 49.5 x 37.5 cm
UK gallery, early 2000s.
David McAllister's exciting design is a 'one of a kind' work that portrays the might and riches of the Roman civilisation. This limited edition print is a celebration of the award winning artist's lifetime dedication to historical paintings of the ancient world. To enhance appreciation of this rare and historic work, each individual print is signed and numbered by the artist. -
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Roman Veined Marble Torso of an Athlete
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £48,100
Standing contrapposto with his weight on his right leg and the left leg brought slightly forward; the musculature of the torso displaying well-defined pectoral muscles, prominent abdominal muscles and wide shoulders, the back with equally toned musculature and well-formed rounded buttocks; the veining of the marble accentuating the idealised anatomy; the now-absent head was most probably turned towards the supporting leg and the left arm would have been raised; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 42.95 kg total, 64 cm high including stand
Formerly in a French private collection in Compiègne, since the 1960s. Acquired from Galerie Chenel, 2015. Accompanied by a copy of a French cultural passport no.166817. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Laura Maria Vigna.
The model of the sculpture recalls the Polykleitian tradition. In particular, the tension of the muscles of the athletic body recalls the Doryphoros of Polykleitos, a famous bronze sculpture erected in Argos in around 450-440 B.C., as evidenced by a stele found there. The statue represented a hero, perhaps Achilles, or a winning athlete. Many Hellenistic and Roman copies of this sculpture are preserved, most notably in marble. These include the Tiberian-era Doryphoros in the National Museum of Naples, from Pompeii, the nude male statue, a copy of the Doryphoros of Polykleitos, in the Doria Pamphilj Collection, dated to the end of the 1st century A.D. The raised left shoulder is reminiscent of the Diadumenos, a work by the same artist made in Argos in around 430-420 B.C., depicting an athlete girding his head with ribbons or fillets, a symbol of victory, known from many copies. The Polykleitos original and the subsequent copies were enormously popular and became canonical representations of physical perfection and refinement. -
Roman Bronze Trumpet Brooch
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
With a decorative collar to the bow, wide catchplate and coiled pin. 8.84 grams, 43 mm
Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.
