Huge Roman Marble Frieze Hunting Scene, Ex Royal Athena

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Exceptional Antiquities, Asian, Ethnographic

By Artemis Gallery

Feb 18, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-02-18 10:00:00 2021-02-18 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Exceptional Antiquities, Asian, Ethnographic https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-antiquities-asian-ethnographic-6373
Museum-worthy examples of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, Far East / Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Russian, Fossils, Ancient Jewelry, Fine Art, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com

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• Lot Description
  Rome, Imperial, ca. 1st to 3rd century. A stunning carved marble frieze from a Roman sarcophagus depicting a gripping scene in high relief of five men and their hunting dogs battling a group of lions and bears. Divided into two registers, the top features three men dressed in tunics with two dogs and two lions. The leftmost figure is nearly tripping over a dog whom he looks down at, while he reaches for an object out of the scene. Right of him, a man attempts to save a dog whose tail is being bit by a lion. The figure lunges towards the endangered pup and holds up a club, about to clobber his maned-rival as another trusted canine bites at the beast's belly. Facing right, the third man takes advantage of the distracted lion and attempts to flee the chaos. The lower region depicts a less fortunate scene of two scantily-clad men, one wrestling a ferocious feline and the other combatting a bear, while a lion and bear battle each other in the right corner. Both men on the ground, the wild beasts bite at the faces of their opponents. Little background is provided other than a slender tree in the left corner. The entirety of the vivid narrative is surrounded by an elegant border. Size: 31.75" W x 22.25" H (80.6 cm x 56.5 cm)
  
  Prior to the 2nd century, Romans cremated their dead; around that time, inspired by the Greek and Etruscan practice of using sarcophagi, they began to place the deceased in sarcophagi. This trend spread rapidly throughout the Roman Empire and continued into the Byzantine period. In the western part of the Empire, sarcophagi were placed inside a mausoleum against a wall or in a niche, so the only decorated panels were on the front and the short sides. This panel probably came from the grave of an elite citizen.
  
  Provenance: ex-private French collection; ex-Royal Athena Galleries, New York, USA, acquired December 17, 1987
  
  All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
  
  A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
  
  We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
  
  #157306

  Condition

  Chip to upper left corner. Leftmost bear missing head. Expected surface wear with softening of details, light abrasions, and minor nicks/chips to relief, all commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent with light earthen deposits and nice patina throughout.
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