- 9
A Roman Marble Torso of Pan, circa 2nd Century A.D.
Estimate
40,000 - 60,000 GBP
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Description
- A Roman Marble Torso of Pan
- Marble
- Height 31 cm.
after a Hellenistic Greek original sculpture of the 3rd/1st Century B.C., the ithyphallic goat-legged shepherd deity standing with his right leg forward, his hands bound behind his back, his now missing head formerly turned to his left; no restorations.
Provenance
French Private Collection, Lyon, acquired in the 1950's
Condition
Fragmentary as shown, surface somewhat worn overall due to cleaning. Note chips on fingertips on both hands in back.
"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
At least three other Roman marble replicas of this type are known, all carved on the same relatively small scale: in Compiègne, with head restored (É. Espérandieu, Recueil général des bas-reliefs, statues et bustes de la Gaule romaine, vol. 5, 1913, p. 149, no. 3905), in the Cosa Archaeological Museum (J. Collins, The Marble Sculptures from Cosa, doct. diss., Columbia University, New York, 1970, pp. 121ff., no. 14, figs. 38ff.), and in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, on loan from a private collection (unpublished). The latter example was used as decoration for a coloured marble table leg (trapezophoros).
The present torso might be the same object referred to as being in a private collection in K. Schauenburg, Römische Mitteilungen, vol. 90, 1983, p. 351, note 109.
The motif of Pan with hands bound alludes to a mythological episode in which the Nymphs unite to punish him for his unwanted advances. The story, once depicted in a long-lost Classical Greek painting, was told in the 3rd Century A.D. by Philostratus the Elder in his Imagines (Eikones): “Formerly Pan used to sleep relaxed, with peaceful nostril and soothing his angry spirit with slumber, but today he is very angry; for the nymphs have fallen upon him, and already Pan’s hands have been tied behind his back, and he fears for his legs since the Nymphs wish to seize them. Moreover, his beard, which he values most highly, has been shaven off with razors that have been roughly applied to it” (transl. A. Fairbanks, London, 1931).
The present torso might be the same object referred to as being in a private collection in K. Schauenburg, Römische Mitteilungen, vol. 90, 1983, p. 351, note 109.
The motif of Pan with hands bound alludes to a mythological episode in which the Nymphs unite to punish him for his unwanted advances. The story, once depicted in a long-lost Classical Greek painting, was told in the 3rd Century A.D. by Philostratus the Elder in his Imagines (Eikones): “Formerly Pan used to sleep relaxed, with peaceful nostril and soothing his angry spirit with slumber, but today he is very angry; for the nymphs have fallen upon him, and already Pan’s hands have been tied behind his back, and he fears for his legs since the Nymphs wish to seize them. Moreover, his beard, which he values most highly, has been shaven off with razors that have been roughly applied to it” (transl. A. Fairbanks, London, 1931).