Lot 28
  • 28

A Marble Herm Head of Dionysos, Roman Imperial, circa 1st Century A.D.

Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 USD
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Description

  • A Marble Herm Head of Dionysos
  • Marble
  • Height 14 3/4 in. 37.5 cm.
after a Greek original of the 5th Century B.C., over life-size, with projecting beard of tiered symmetrical curls, long moustache, full parted lips, and deep-set eyes, his hair parted in the center, falling in thick curls over the temples, and in a long plait over the nape of the neck.

Provenance

probably Nichan Kalebdjian (Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, May 24th, 1969, no. 88, illus.)
Nils Ebbessøn Astrup (1901-1972), Oslo, acquired at the above sale on the advice of Prof. Hans Peter L'Orange (1903-1983), founder and then Director of the Norwegian Institute in Rome
by descent to the current owner

Condition

Surface weathered, partially encrusted, beard and nose fragmentary as shown. Repaired horizontally below the nose. Proper left side of the face in the same condition as the proper right side. Top of the head carved flat. Nose was probably restored in plaster.
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

For another example in the Ny Carlsberg Glyptothek in Copenhagen, inv. no. 450, see "Hermes," Lexicon Iconographicum Mythologiae Classicae, vol. V, Zurich and Munich, 1990, p. 297, no. 39 (http://arachne.uni-koeln.de/item/objekt/9003). For the type see E.B. Harrison, Archaic and archaistic sculpture (The Athenian Agora, vol. 11), 1965, pp. 154-156, nos. 181-186, pls. 50-51.