Thursday, November 8, 2012

A Roman Marble Bust of a Man



Auction house description:
Turkey, Provincial Roman Empire, Ca. 2-3rd Century CE. Carved marble, this man's bust is set atop a raised platform with beveled edges. Hair has been carved in the traditional short curl form, strong brow and aquiline nose. Ears are set back behind hairline. While some would say this depiction isn't very handsome, truth is that he was carved to look exactly like the person represented. Roman sculpture differentiates itself from Classical and Hellenistic sculpture in that it does not try to idealize the subject, rather it tries to depict the subject in the must real way possible - a technique called Verism.
A very heavy piece, it measures 21-3/4"H x 13-1/4"W.

Provenance: Ex-private FL collection acquired in the late 1970s/early 80s. 

Available at Antiquities Saleroom.

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