Roman Terracotta Figural Fragment Group

Tubular body with a smoothly-rounded interior, the exterior formed of heavily-twisted rods, two handles and standing on a slightly rounded integral base, rim absent; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 160 grams total, 13.1 cm including stand



Ex London gallery, 1980s. Private London, UK, collection, 1980-2000s. Roman glass from an important London collection, acquired from the early 1980s. Accompanied by a typed previous catalogue information page with provenance.

These kohl tubes are provisionally dated between the 4th and the 5th centuries, and they are ascribed to the Syrian region. The majority of the kohl tubes bear spiralling ribs formed by twisting the vessel while it was still hot and malleable.

Depicted in a contrapposto stance, detailed torso with well-defined musculature, indicative of the idealised human form, carefully rendered drapery cascading over the figure's left shoulder and wrapping around his lower body, the folds of the garment deeply carved; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 33 kg total, 71 cm including stand



Ex Nicolas Koutoulakis (1910-1996), Paris and Geneva, thence by descent. Private collection, Europe. Accompanied by a printed copy of the Spanish cultural export licence no.1775-3178156. Accompanied by a copy of a French passport, no.134277. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13459-260915.

Asclepius, the god of medicine, is a pivotal figure in Greek mythology and was later adopted by the Romans. According to myth, Asclepius was the son of Apollo and the mortal Coronis. Trained by the centaur Chiron, he became a skilled healer, so proficient that he could even bring the dead back to life. His abilities eventually led to his demise at the hands of Zeus, who struck him down with a thunderbolt to maintain the balance between mortals and gods. The Pio-Clementino Museum houses a marble statue of Asclepius in the Octagonal Courtyard. This statue, similar in pose and drapery, provides an excellent comparative study. The National Museum in Athens (Room 28) displays a marble statue of Asclepius, highlighting his characteristic bearded face and draped garments. The British Museum's Greek and Roman Antiquities collection includes a statue of Asclepius (Room 69), illustrating the common attributes and stylistic elements. The Louvre Museum, Paris, in the Department of Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities, contains a marble statue of Asclepius in Room 17, showcasing the classical drapery and posture similar to the piece in question.

Conical in profile with trumpet-shaped mouth with stepped rim; constriction within the neck to control flow of liquid. 73 grams, 7.7 cm



Acquired on the UK art market since the 1990s. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman; thence by descent.