2ND CENTURY A.D., A ROMAN COPY AFTER A LATE HELLENISTIC ORIGINAL

Details

A ROMAN MARBLE NEREID RIDING A HIPPOCAMP
2ND CENTURY A.D., A ROMAN COPY AFTER A LATE HELLENISTIC ORIGINAL
Depicting the naked sea-nymph, a wave billowing up behind her head, sitting on the right side of the leaping hippocamp which appears to be riding through the waves, repaired with 18th Century restorations including the hippocamp's head, forelegs, part of tail and part of nereid's legs, mounted
22½ in. (57.5 cm.) long; 15¼ in. (39 cm.) high

Provenance

Acquired in Italy in the second half of the 18th Century by a Duke of Arenberg, Brussels.
Collection of Prof. Brassine, Lüttich.
Sold Münzen und Medaillen, Basel, Auktion XXII, 13 May 1961, no. 28; and acquired in the 1960s by the present owner's late father.

A report (dated 1964) from the Archaeological Institute, University of Freiburg, Germany, accompanies this lot.

Special notice

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Lot Essay

Although the lively subject of hippocamps, sea monsters, centaurs and nereids are popular on sarcophagi, free standing sculptures are rare. It is suggested that this sculpture might have come from a fountain. The identity of the goddess is unknown but could represent Thetis or Amphitrite.

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