Lot 22
  • 22

A ROMAN MARBLE TORSO OF HERMES, CIRCA 2ND CENTURY A.D. | A Roman Marble Torso of Hermes

Estimate
45,000 - 65,000 GBP
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Description

  • marble
  • Height 83 cm.
standing against a tree trunk support with the weight on his right leg, and wearing a chlamys fastened on the left shoulder, the heavy folds falling over the left arm, another fragmentary support behind the left leg; former restorations removed.

Provenance

European private collection, circa 18th Century (based on restoration techniques)
Rome art market, 1892 (based on a dated photograph in the archives of Paul Arndt [1865–1937], Institute of Classical Archaeology, Erlangen University)
Sotheby’s, New York, June 12th, 1993, no. 110, illus.

Condition

As shown. All restored extremities were removed, leaving behind mortises (some with remains of iron pins held in lead inside). Channel for now missing iron clamp runs across proper right shoulder blade. Minor chips, scratches, and abrasions overall. Note losses to fibula, drapery and genitalia.
"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

Based on the rendering of the abdominal musculature, which is comparable to Greek statuary types of ca. 450 BC (cf. the Hermes Perinth-Cyrene: S. Kansteiner, Jahrbuch des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts, vol. 130, 2015, p. 148, fig. 9), the present torso is a Roman copy of a Greek original from the mid-5th Century B.C. The chlamys, which is similar in shape to a Roman paludamentum (cf. portrait statues of Hadrian from Vaison and Pergamon: M. Wegner, Hadrian, Das römische Herrscherbild, vol. II.3, 1956, p. 66, pl. 14), is a “decorative” feature added by the sculptor of the Roman Imperial era.