Antiquities & Ancient Art

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May 27 | 11:00 AM EDT

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| Chicago

Lot 124

A Greek Marble Portrait Head of Ptolemy III

Lot 124

A Greek Marble Portrait Head of Ptolemy III

Status:

Closed

Estimate: $30,000 - $50,000

Estimate$30,000 – $50,000

Status

Closed

A Greek Marble Portrait Head of Ptolemy III

Circa 280-222 B.C.

Height 7 3/4 inches.

Property from a Midwest Private Collection

Provenance:

Royal Athena Galleries, New York, December 2005.

Note:

Ptolemy III Euergetes was born in approximately 280 B.C., and succeeded his father, Ptolemy II Philadelphus, in 246 B.C. as the third pharaoh of Egypt during the Ptolemaic dynasty. The Ptolemaic Kingdom reached the height of its power during his reign after he reunited Egypt and Cyrenaica, and waged a third war against the Seleucid Kingdom in Syria.

Attribution confirmed by Dr. Rudolf Känel, University of Basel. For similar portrait heads of Ptolemy III, see: H. Kyrieleis, Bildnisse Der Ptolemäer, Mann 1975, no. C3, pl. 20 & no. C9, pl. 24. Also, see: S. Walker et al., Cleopatra of Egypt, London 2001, no. 10.

Intact as preserved. Restoration to the bridge and tip of the nose, and parts of the lips. Spots of beige surface patina around the forehead, eyes, mouth, and neck. Weathering is typical of the age. Evidence of keying to the back of the head, perhaps pieced together in antiquity, the back of the head now lost. Break at the bottom is uneven with a hole in the middle of the neck drilled for a metal dowel now affixed to a rectangular stone base. Fine, stable and attractive condition overall. Height with stand 13 1/2 inches.

The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.

The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.

Please email for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

Jacob Coley

Senior Vice President, Head of Department, Antiquities and Ancient Art

jacobcoley@freemansauction.com 312 280 1212

Mr. Coley joined the Antiquities department in 2021 after working as Managing Director in the Ancient Art department at Colnaghi, the world’s oldest commercial art gallery, where he helped to establish the Ancient Art department and launched Colnaghi New York in 2017. Prior to Colnaghi, Mr. Coley was in the Greek and Roman Art department at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Mr. Coley holds a B.A. from the University of Miami and an M.A. in Art Market from the Fashion Institute of Technology, and he earned an art-appraisal certificate from New York University.

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Antiquities & Ancient Art

A Greek Marble Portrait Head of Ptolemy III

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