Lot 33
  • 33

A ROMAN MARBLE SARCOPHAGUS RELIEF FRAGMENT WITH LABOURS OF HERAKLES, 2ND QUARTER OF THE 3RD CENTURY A.D. | A Roman Marble Sarcophagus Relief Fragment with Labours of Herakles

Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 GBP
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Description

  • marble
  • 36 by 35 cm.
carved with two figures of bearded Herakles, one shooting his bow at the Stymphalian birds, the other standing with his left foot on the body of a now missing Amazon, his club cradled in his left arm, his head turned sharply to the right; no restorations.

Provenance

French private collection, acquired in the 1950s/1960s (Tajan, Paris, April 15th, 2015, no. 24, illus.)

Condition

Broken and repaired in one area. Break runs diagonally through top left edge, raised arm of Herakles at left, below neck of Herakles at right, and across club. Note extensive loss on inner side of proper right arm of Herakles at left. Minor areas of heavy incrustation. French nicotine patina.
"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 closest related composition can be found on a sarcophagus formerly in the Ludovisi Collection, then in the Museo Nazionale Romano, inv. no. 8642, and now on view at Palazzo Altemps, showing the entire series of Twelve Labours; see C. Robert, Einzelmythen. Actaeon bis Hercules (Die antiken Sarkophagreliefs, vol. 3, 1), 1897, p. 126 f., no. 103, pl. 29, and M. de Angelis d’Ossat, Scultura antica in Palazzo Altemps, 2002, p. 94 f.(http://arachne.uni-koeln.de/item/objekt/26587).