LOT 0167

Roman Marble Torso of Young Boy

1ST CENTURY A.D.

26 in. (34.7 kg, 66 cm).

Statue of a young naked boy, in Parian or Carrara marble, shown in a contrapposto stance, with his right hip raised and his left leg extended slightly forward; chest and upper abdomen with subtle muscular definition, narrow torso and slim arms, rounded belly and chubby thighs; professionally repaired.

European private collection, 19th century (based on restoration techniques).
Ex Sotheby's, London, 8 December 1986, no.287.
Ex private collection, Melbourne, Australia, prior to 2001.
Private collection, Europe.

Accompanied by a printed copy of the Spanish cultural export licence no.1775-3178156.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13456-260917.

Compare the image of a boy playing, 1st century A.D., Roman, marble, [h. 93 cm (36 5/8 in.), ancient part: h. 67 cm (26 3/8 in.], Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen, inv. no.2089, in Poulsen, F., Catalogue of Ancient Sculpture in the NY Carlsberg Glyptotek,Copenhagen, 1951, fig.173a p.131.

During the Roman imperial period, children were widely represented in the art of both the public and private spheres. Images of both mortal and divine children appeared in the artworks and furnishings of the home, on the tomb monuments and burial containers associated with the funerary realm, and on imperial state art. This statue of a nude young boy, which is made of Parian or Carrara marble, exemplifies the Roman interest in the subject of children.