Lot 26
  • 26

A Roman Marble Head of Sarapis, late 2nd Century A.D.

Estimate
60,000 - 80,000 GBP
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Description

  • A Roman Marble Head of Sarapis
  • marble
  • Height 33 cm.
with full beard and moustache, parted lips, and long deeply-drilled hair bound in a diadem, falling in multiple strands over the forehead, and flowing in long wavy locks down to his shoulders, the top of the head prepared for addition of the modius, the back roughly worked, traces of red pigment over the beard and hair; no restorations.

Provenance

said to have been found at Antaradus (modern-day Tartus, on the Syrian coast)
Louis De Clercq (1882-1901), Oignies, inv. no. H 168
by descent to his grand-nephew Comte Henri de Boisgelin (1901-1967), rue de Mazarine, Paris
Nicolas Koutoulakis, Paris and Geneva, 1960s
Drouot-Richelieu, Paris, Millon et Associés, Archéologie et Préhistoire, December 13th, 2016, no. 208, illus.

Literature

André de Ridder, Collection De Clercq. Catalogue, vol. 4: Les marbres, les vases peints et les ivoires, Paris, 1906, p. 38f., no. 34
G.J.F. Kater-Sibbes, Preliminary Catalogue of Sarapis Monuments, Leiden, 1973, p. 77, no. 438 (erroneously as "Paris, Louvre")
Wilhelm Hornbostel, Sarapis, Leiden, 1973, p. 100, note 6, and p. 282, note 2

Condition

Small chip on inner corner of proper left eyebrow restored in painted resin. Otherwise as shown. Note fragmentary curls on proper left side of beard. Minor chips and abrasions elsewhere. Recent professional treatment has revived the surface, which was partially over-cleaned in the 19th Century.
"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

The present head can be securely identified as one of Sarapis based on the mortise and prepared circular surface for a separately-made modius. However, neither the number of locks falling onto the forehead, nor the disposition of the beard locks match any of the known heads of Sarapis (cf. W. Hornbostel, op. cit.). It may be seen as a free rendering of the god's image.