Lot 20
  • 20

A Roman Marble Relief of Leto, Early Augustan, Circa 27-20 B.C.

Estimate
6,000 - 9,000 USD
Log in to view results
bidding is closed

Description

  • A Roman Marble Relief of Leto
  • Marble
  • 17 1/8 by 11 in. 43.5 by 27.9 cm.
in archaistic style, from the lower left corner of a large rectangular relief depicting Leto, Artemis, and Apollo walking to right towards Nike at an altar, Leto lifting her peplos, a tall base for a now missing votive tripod behind her.

Provenance

James-Alexandre, Comte de Pourtalès-Gorgier (1776-1855), Paris, (Catalogue des objets d’art et de haute curiosité, antiques, du Moyen Âge et de la Renaissance, qui composent les collections de feu M. le Comte de Pourtalès-Gorgier, Paris, March 21st, 1865, no. 7)
Baron Valentin de Courcel (1838-1917), Villa Faustina, Promenade de la Croisette, Cannes, France, late 19th century

Literature

Léon Jean Joseph Dubois, Description des antiques faisant partie des collections de M. le Comte de Pourtalès-Gorgier, Paris, 1841, no. 4
Adolf Michaelis, "La raccolta de Courcel a Cannes," Mitteilungen des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts. Römische Abteilung, vol. 8, 1893, pp. 181-182, no. 16

Condition

Fragmentary as shown and described, some scuffs to high points of relief, scattered chips and abrasions, particularly around edges, damage to column at left seems intentional.
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.

Catalogue Note

Two complete examples of a relief showing Leto and her two children sacrificing with Nike are preserved in the Villa Albani (see H.-U. Cain, in P.C. Bol, ed., Forschungen zur Villa Albani. Katalog der antiken Bildwerke, vol. I, Berlin, 1989, pp. 380-388, no. 124, pls. 218-221, and http://arachne.uni-koeln.de/item/marbilderbestand/1044615). Also see A.L. Wagner, Archaistische Reliefs mit der apollinischen Trias. Ungedruckte Magisterarbeit, Munich, 1982, no. 5, pls. 9-10; the author lists all the other examples known to him). For a related figure of Leto see the candelabrum base in the Palazzo dei Conservatori, inv. 2771 (H.-U. Cain, Römische Marmorkandelaber, Mainz am Rhein, 1985, no. 79, pl. 69,3: http://arachne.uni-koeln.de/item/objekt/37086).