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Lot Essay
The sharp turn of the head, strained expression, open mouth, as well as a trace of fish scales on the right leg, suggest that this is a representation of a triton - a merman of the sea, half man, half fish, and attendant of the sea god Neptune. In Roman art they frequently appeared in sculpture, mosaics and frescoes, often as companions to Neptune or as part of elaborate marine scenes. For a large mosaic from the Baths of Neptune at Ostia, with a scene of the sea god and his entourage, see K.M.D. Dunbabin, Mosaics of the Greek and Roman World, Cambridge, 1999, p. 63, no. 62.
Depictions of tritons can either be youthful and clean shaven or older and bearded, both with thick curling hair. For an older, bearded triton in the Uffizi Museum, Florence, see inv. no. 282. For a similar body shape and twist, see M. Moltesen, Imperial Rome II, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, 1995, p. 302, no. 101. For examples of Triton and tritons in general, see N. Icard-Gianolio, 'Triton' and 'Tritones', in LIMC, vol. VIII, pp. 68-85.
Depictions of tritons can either be youthful and clean shaven or older and bearded, both with thick curling hair. For an older, bearded triton in the Uffizi Museum, Florence, see inv. no. 282. For a similar body shape and twist, see M. Moltesen, Imperial Rome II, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, 1995, p. 302, no. 101. For examples of Triton and tritons in general, see N. Icard-Gianolio, 'Triton' and 'Tritones', in LIMC, vol. VIII, pp. 68-85.