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A Celtic Limestone Head of a Man, circa 1st Century A.D.
Estimate
5,000 - 8,000 GBP
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Description
- A Celtic Limestone Head of a Man
- stone
- Height 32 cm.
with long roughly worked beard and mustache, and slightly tapering nose merging into the large circular eyes, the back of the head unworked.
Provenance
Galerie Kamer, New York
Arthur Cohen and Elaine Lustig Cohen, acquired from the above on April 26th, 1961
Arthur Cohen and Elaine Lustig Cohen, acquired from the above on April 26th, 1961
Condition
As shown. Proper left side of beard and mustache chipped, as well as proper left-side tip of nose. Surface weathered, slightly scratched and abraded overall. Head is not carved in the round. Back projects about 15 cm in a roughly conical shape and is very roughly worked.
"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 Kamer invoice records that the present head is said to have been found “in the area of St Germain, France”. In a letter dated June 16th, 1961, Fernand Benoît, Curator of the Musée d'archéologie (Château Borély) in Marseille, suggested that the head might originate from much further east, referring to parallels from Romania and Hungary.
For a related example cf. Espérandieu, Recueil général des bas-reliefs, statues et bustes de la Gaule romaine, vol. 11, 1938, no. 7722 (from Carling, Moselle).