Lot 33
  • 33

A Roman Marble Figure of Pan Playing the Flute, circa 2nd Century A.D.

Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 GBP
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Description

  • A Roman Marble Figure of Pan Playing the Flute
  • marble
  • Height with tenon 43 cm. 17 in.
the underside with a broad square integral tenon for insertion, probably into a herm pillar, the head turned sharply to his left, his face with long unruly beard, smiling mouth preserving the tip of his flute, gnarled brow, and pointed ears, and wearing an animal skin knotted at the waist, the remains of three struts or supports on the chest and abdomen for strengthening of the now missing arms, the tail visible in back; nose restored, a dowel hole in the fragmentary right shoulder.

Provenance

the painter Friedrich August von Kaulbach (1850-1920), Munich, acquired in or prior to 1900
Neumeister, Munich, September 22nd, 1993, no. 243, pl. 36 (as 18th Century, after the antique)
acquired at the above sale by the present owner's father

Literature

Paul Arndt, "Antike Sculpturen der Sammlung F. A. von Kaulbach," Zeitschrift des Münchener Alterthums-Vereins, January 1900, p. 6ff., illus.
Salomon Reinach, Répertoire de la statuaire grecque et romaine, vol. 3, Paris, 1904, p. 20, no. 1 
Nathalie Marquardt, Pan in der hellenistischen und kaiserzeitlichen Plastik, Bonn, 1995, p. 80f., no. 99

Condition

As described, numerous chips on beard and hair, abrasions in front, minor nicks elsewhere, incised decoration on animal skin better preserved in back than in front.
"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

Cf. a statuette from Vienne: Marquardt (op. cit.) p. 77, no. 94; D. Terrer, et al., Nouvel Espérandieu I. Vienne, 2003, p. 15, no. 31, pl. 32.

Fritz von Kaulbach also owned the head of a bearded god, which was sold at Sotheby’s New York, December 11th, 2002, no. 11. This head was lot 148 in the sale of the Kaulbach Collection sale held at Kaulbach's Munich villa by auctioneer Hugo Helbing, on October 29th-30, 1929. The present lot was not included in this sale.