- 142
Italian, Rome, circa 1800
Estimate
15,000 - 25,000 GBP
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Description
- Bust of Alexander the Great
- white marble, on an associated white marble socle
- Italian, Rome, circa 1800
Provenance
Christie's, London, 7 July 2004, The Property of a Gentleman, lot 373;
private collection, London, United Kingdom
private collection, London, United Kingdom
Condition
Overall the condition of the marble is good with dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. There are some small chips and abrasions in the locks of hair. There is veining to the marble consistent with material, including veins running across the cheekbones. There are some small naturally occurring inclusions, including to the proper right side of the face, below the eye. The back of the head at the top is carved separately.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Alexander the Great is thought to have maintained a strict level of control over his image to the extent that Plutarch was able to easily describe the idealistic portrayal of the king; his neck slightly to the left, his head tilted up, his melting gaze and his fair colour. All these attributes are clear to see in this bust, which is based on a Roman copy of a 3rd century B.C. original now housed in the Capitoline Museum in Rome. The original bust was displayed in the Sala delle Colombe in the Vatican until 1797, before moving to the Stanza del Gladiatore in 1817. Note the resemblances between this bust and the Dying Alexander in the Uffizi, Florence; they both share similarities in the attributes described by Plutarch.