Lot 182
182
A ROMAN MARBLE HEAD OF A BULL

Details
A ROMAN MARBLE HEAD OF A BULL
CIRCA 1ST CENTURY A.D.

The contours of the head naturalistically modelled, with wide eyes framed by concentric folds, deep flaring nostrils, open mouth, and fleshy dewlap, the ridged poll with tuffs of hair between the (missing) horns, the ears originally inserted, the neck with several shallow crescentic folds, later converted by drilling for use as a fountain, 23 1/2in. (59.7cm.) long

Lot Essay

Compare the two large bull's heads in Rome, thought to have come from Trajan's Forum, of similar proportions and modelling, but with a different orientation of the head to the neck. See nos. I,39 and 40 in Giuliano, ed., Museo Nazionale Romano, Le Sculture, I,3.