Antiquities & Ethnographic Art

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Nov 18 | 11:00 AM EST

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| Chicago

Lot 218

A Roman Marble Portrait Head of a Patrician

Lot 218

A Roman Marble Portrait Head of a Patrician

Status:

Closed

Estimate: $40,000 - $60,000

Estimate$40,000 – $60,000

Status

Closed

A Roman Marble Portrait Head of a Patrician

Circa 1st Century B.C.

Height 11 inches (28 cm).

Provenance:

T.S. Collection, United Kingdom, prior to 1977.

Published:

C. Milner, Traders of the Lost Arts, Financial Times, How To Spend It, 24 April 2015, pp. 10-11.

Note:

Portraiture during the Late Roman Republic is renowned for its verism. The facial features on this portrait head are exaggerated to highlight his wrinkles, sunken skin, furrowed brow, and even a bulging frontal vein. Age was synonymous with wealth and power in ancient Rome. Wrinkles exuded gravitas (seriousness of mind) and virtus (virtue), which would evidently indicate a fruitful public career and triumphs. Public officials often commissioned veristic portrait busts to legitimize their authority and further associate themselves with their prestigious ancestors.

Intact as preserved. Moderate incrustation with root marks to the back of the head, tips of ears, and proper left cheek. Overall slightly beige patination. Elements of the face such as eyes, nose, and mouth are well preserved. Cracking on the back of the head with possible modern restoration. The bottom neck uneven and center drilled for a modern base. Height with base 18 inches. Overall fine stable condition.

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.

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Please contact the Auction Specialist for details.

Jacob Coley

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

[email protected]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 & Ethnographic Art

A Roman Marble Portrait Head of a Patrician

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