Lot 46
  • 46

A Marble Sarcophagus Relief Fragment with Medea and her Children, Roman Imperial, circa A.D. 170-180

Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 USD
Log in to view results
bidding is closed

Description

  • A Marble Sarcophagus Relief Fragment with Medea and her Children
  • 26 by 17 1/2 by 5 1/2 in. 66 by 44.5 by 14 cm.
carved in high relief with Medea holding a dagger and contemplating the murder of her two children playing before her, a bed and the hand of Glauke in the background, the reverse re-carved in Italy in the Medieval period with an interlace motif.

Provenance

Baron Valentin de Courcel (1838-1917), Villa Faustina, Promenade de la Croisette, Cannes, France, as of 1893 (Baussy et Morot, Vente aux enchères des sculptures de la Villa Faustina à Cannes, November 27th, 1923)

Literature

Adolf Michaelis, "La raccolta de Courcel a Cannes," Mitteilungen des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts. Römische Abteilung, vol. 8, 1893, p. 180, no. 9
Carl Robert, Die antiken Sarkophagreliefs, vol. III, 3: Niobiden-Triptolemos. Ungedeutet, Berlin, 1919, p. 563, no. 201.2
Vassiliki Gaggadis-Robin, Jason et Médée sur les sarcophages d'époque impériale, Rome, 1994, p. 15, cat. no. 14, fig. 25
Marie-Claire Amouretti and Pierre Villard, eds., Eykpata. Mélanges offerts à Claude Vatin, Aix-en-Provence, 1994, p. 35

Condition

Weathered and damaged as shown, remains of cement along edges from time when relief was built into wall of Villa Faustina in Cannes, minor fresh chips on interlace decoration on reverse.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.