AN ATTIC MARBLE TORSO OF A WEEPING SIREN, 4TH CENTURY B.C. | An Attic Marble Torso of a Weeping Siren

the winged creature standing with her right hand on her chest; no restorations.

French private collection, 1920s/1930s (based on custom-made varnished wood base)
Rosebery's, London, September 9th, 2015, no. 754

As shown. Please note missing lower part of body, proper left arm and head. Surface with small abrasions overall. The sculpture is mounted on a custom-made varnished wood base
"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."

Figures of Sirens were often used to decorate the top of attic grave stelai, either in relief (cf. two stelai in Boston: M. Comstock and C. Vermeule, Sculpture in Stone. The Greek, Roman and Etruscan Collections of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, 1976, p. 46f., nos. 66–67, and one in Copenhagen: http://arachne.uni-koeln.de/item/objekt/9164), or in the round (cf. a figure in Boston: Comstock and Vermeule, op. cit., p. 49, no. 71: http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/weeping-siren-151075). Beating the breast and pulling of the hair were common gestures of lament. For a list of known examples and further analysis see E. Hofstetter, Sirenen im archaischen und klassischen Griechenland, 1990, pp. 151ff.

Also see http://collections.musee-rodin.fr/fr/museum/rodin/sirene-fragment-de-couronnement-de-stele-funeraire/Co.00412?epoqueDeCreation%5B0%5D=IVe+siècle&position=16