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LOT 0113
Roman Marble Portrait of Drusus the Younger
13 B.C.-23 A.D.
13 3/4 in. (15.15 kg total, 35 cm high including stand).
Finely carved bust of Drusus, son of Emperor Tiberius; the hair shaped in a mop of short locks combed forward towards the brow; the features adolescent with soft lips and smooth skin; the nose chipped; mounted on a custom-made stand.
ProvenancePreviously mounted in an 18th–19th century bust.
Private collection, Northern England, acquired in the 1980s.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13361- 259006.
Cf. Berouilli, Griechische Ikonographie, 1901, cat.no 11; a bust of Drusus in the Museo del Prado, Madrid, depicts him somewhat later in his life and wearing a sagum military cloak fastened with an umbonate brooch; Scarpati, G., ‘Il ritratto di Druso Minore dal ciclo statuario Giulio-Claudio di Sessa Aurunca,’ in Bollettino d’Arte, 24 Ottobre-Dicembre, 2014, Anno XCIX, serie VII, pp.29-38, figs.1,12 (portraits of Cleveland and Grosseto).
FootnotesThe facial features of the sculpture reveal the physiognomic characteristics of a Julio-Claudian prince; specifically, Drusus the Younger, supported by comparisons with coin portraits.
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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LOT 0113
Roman Marble Portrait of Drusus the Younger
Estimate £10,000 - 14,000€11,600 - 16,240 (for guidance only)$13,500 - 18,900 (for guidance only)
Opening Bid
£5,000 (EUR 5,800; USD 6,750) +BP*
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Roman Sapphire Gemstone with Crescent Moon and Star
Third quarter of 1st century B.C.Estimate: £2,500 - 3,500 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,250
Cushion-shaped greenish-blue intaglio engraved with a large crescent moon and star. 1.05 grams, 10 mm
Formerly in a private collection of an European lady, 1970s-1980s. Private collection, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13305-257800.
Basaltic sapphires used by the Romans came from surface deposits in northern Ethiopia, which were already known and productive in ancient times. This hypothesis is supported by comments by Pliny the Elder (23–79 A.D.) and Solinus (early 3rd century A.D.), both of whom referred to gems from Ethiopia named ‘hyacintos’, which is generally accepted in archaeology to be the ancient name of sapphire. The moon and stars have been, since the 4th century BC, symbols of the city of Byzantium and were also linked with Spartan military culture. -
Roman Bronze Bell Collection
1st-4th century A.D.Estimate: £120 - 170 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £60
Comprising three bells, each rectangular in plan with a loop above and small lobes at each corner. 295 grams total, 48-92 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Roman Bone Artefact Collection
1st-6th century A.D.Estimate: £120 - 170 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £60
Mixed group of implements, including pins, awls, and other types. 66 grams total, 5-13.8 cm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
