Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 0130
Three Times Life-Size Roman Head of the Goddess Diana
1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.
28 3/8 in (99.5 kg total, 72 cm high including stand).
The goddess (Greek Artemis) with elegant features, sensual lips and deep eyes; detailed treatment of the hairstyle in transverse braids across the brow, laurel wreath with two rows of leaves resting above the forehead, an architectural element that was placed for the support of the sima of a building of great size; mounted on a custom-made display stand.
Provenance
Ex private Belgian collection.
with Madame Andree Mace collection.
English private collection.
Accompanied by an academic report by Prof. Neritan Ceka.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11625-199748.
Literature
See Bartman, E., Hair and the Artifice of Roman Female Adornment in American Journal of Archaeology Vol. 105, No. 1 (Jan 2001), pp.1-25, for discussion of Roman hairstyling in its social context; Fischer-Hansen, T. & Poulsen, B. (eds.), From Artemis to Diana: the goddess of man and beast. Collegium Hyperboreum and Museum Tusculanum Press, Copenhagen, 2009.
Footnotes
The upper part of the head, cut horizontally, creates a semi-circular surface, on which the rest of the hair, or an architectonic capital, may have been mounted into a T-shaped socket. The back of the head, cut perpendicularly, proves that the head was intended for architectural use, and not to be viewed in the round. This piece may have been intended as the head of a caryatid (a sculpture serving as a pilaster) or an architectural stone corbel (an architectural element placed to support the sima of a significant building).
CONDITIONVETTING:
TimeLine 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:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
LOT 0130
Three Times Life-Size Roman Head of the Goddess Diana
Sold for (Inc. bp): £13,000
RELATED LOTS
-
Roman Gold 'Talismanic' Ring with Inscriptions
3rd-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £5,200
Comprising chamfered sloped shoulders and ellipsoid bezel; engraved with later blundered Latin legends in capitals: left shoulder - ‘REBET ?IA SESTE’ (It is rebated), bezel - ‘VIVAS CVM CAECI’ (Live with Caecus), right shoulder - ‘CAFELIX ET CVM RTIO’ (Safe and comfortable). 3.80 grams, 18.19 mm overall, 14.94 mm internal diameter (approximate size British F, USA 2 3/4, Europe 3.67, Japan 3)
Private collection, Europe. Acquired on the English art market. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13044-248372.
The ring is extensively engraved with the following Latin words and approximate translations: Left shoulder - ‘REBET ?IA SESTE’ - It is rebated. Bezel - ‘VIVAS CVM CAECI’ - Live with Caecus. Right shoulder - ‘CAFELIX ET CVM RTIO’ - Safe and comfortable. The Latin expression can be understood as part of a personal protective message. -
Roman Silver Duck Brooch
Circa 2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £585
The bow formed as the arched body of the bird with looped head and beak; pin-lugs and pin to underside. 5.78 grams, 24 mm
Ex 'S' collection, London, UK, 1970s-1990s. -
Roman Nicolo Gemstone with Seated Satyr in Gold Ring
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,860
With incuse profile satyr seated on a rock, with cane in his lap; set into a later gold ring; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 22.47 grams, 25.33 mm overall, 20.60 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)
with Bertolami Fine Arts, London, Auction 267, no.109. Private collection, England.