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A Fragmentary Roman Marble Head of the Diadumenos, circa 2nd Century A.D., with mid 17th Century or earlier Restorations
Estimate
25,000 - 35,000 GBP
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Description
- A Fragmentary Roman Marble Head of the Diadumenos
- marble
- Total height 53 cm.; height of head 26.5 cm.; height of face 17.5 cm.
turned to his right, his face with full parted lips and straight nose merging into the prominent brow, his hair radiating from the crown in overlapping curls and bound in a broad fillet falling in rippling folds over the shoulders; probably from a herm or statue, the shoulders recarved into a bust with rectangular plinth, the front part of the head restored in marble.
Provenance
European private collection, 16th/17th Century (based on restorations and Dal Pozzo drawing)
French private collection, Paris, acquired in the 1980s or earlier
acquired by the present owner from the above
French private collection, Paris, acquired in the 1980s or earlier
acquired by the present owner from the above
Literature
RECORDED
unpublished 1630s Italian drawing, probably by Pietro Testa (1611–1650), originally part of the Museo Cartaceo ("Paper Museum"), a collection of drawings and prints assembled by the Italian scholar Cassiano dal Pozzo (1588-1657), then in the collection of Sir William Stirling-Maxwell (1818-1878), sold at Philips, London, December 12th, 1990, and recorded in a photograph in the Warburg Institute Library in London
unpublished 1630s Italian drawing, probably by Pietro Testa (1611–1650), originally part of the Museo Cartaceo ("Paper Museum"), a collection of drawings and prints assembled by the Italian scholar Cassiano dal Pozzo (1588-1657), then in the collection of Sir William Stirling-Maxwell (1818-1878), sold at Philips, London, December 12th, 1990, and recorded in a photograph in the Warburg Institute Library in London
Condition
Restorations include shoulders, recarved into a bust with rectangular plinth, and the front part of the head. Face repolished. Entire object quite dirty. Chocolate brown patina. Cleaning object would probably expose differences in grain and colour between the two marbles used.
"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."
"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 front part of the head comes from a copy of the Diadumenos by Polykleitos, a famous bronze statue from circa 430/420 B.C., known in numerous copies. For other examples see D. Kreikenbom, Bildwerke nach Polyklet, 1990, pp. 109ff., pls. 247ff. For the original and its interpretation see S. Kansteiner, et al., eds., Der Neue Overbeck, vol. 2, 2014, pp. 467ff, no. 2.