CIRCA 3RD-4TH CENTURY A.D.

Details

A ROMAN MARBLE MALE PORTRAIT BUST
CIRCA 3RD-4TH CENTURY A.D.
With his head turned to his right, closely cropped thick wavy hair brushed forward at the front, with slightly furrowed brow above delicate eyebrows, his lidded eyes articulated, a long top lip and prominant creases to the sides of his mouth, his thick neck with wrinkles on the right side, with muscular shoulders, the nipples indicated, on socle mount
26 in. (66 cm.) high

Provenance

with Victor Van Der Eecken, Ghent, prior to 1968.
Private collection, Ghent, 1968-1992, thence by descent to the present owner.

Brought to you by

Georgina Aitken

Check the condition report or get in touch for additional information about this

gaitken@christies.com +44 (0)20 7752 3002

If you wish to view the condition report of this lot, please sign in to your account.

View condition report

Lot Essay

It is likely that this portrait was originally of the 2nd Century A.D., but was adjusted in the 3rd or 4th Century for a new subject; this is most evident in the contrast between the remains of the original light, feathered hairstyle visible on the sides of the face, and the short, close-cut plain hairstyle evident over the brow, which seems to have been worked by a different hand. The re-carving of the subject's eyes, with their distinctive 4th Century style, also point to later recarving in antiquity.

More from Antiquities

View All