Late Roman Imperial Limestone Eagle

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DAY 1 | Antiquities, Asian, Russian, Fine Art...

By Artemis Gallery

Jun 20, 2018

Set Reminder 2018-06-20 10:00:00 2018-06-20 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : DAY 1 | Antiquities, Asian, Russian, Fine Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/day-1-antiquities-asian-russian-fine-art-3276
Day 1 of an important 2-day auction featuring exceptional art from around the world Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com

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• Lot Description
  Roman, late Imperial Period, ca. 3rd to 4th century CE. A substantial, hand-carved limestone eagle statue hewn from a larger stone. The avian figure displays its proud head in a majestic raised position, tilted just slightly in an inquisitive manner, its almond-shaped eyes and conical beak exuding a power evocative of the Roman legions which looked to it for inspiration. A pair of ovoid wings are tucked against the plump body with individually-formed feathers. The form of this statue, given its militaristic symbolism, was perhaps displayed outdoors in front of the palatial estate of a high-ranking military official or even near the gates of a military complex. Traces of original pigmentation remain, though the color has faded to a pale-tan hue. A beautiful and powerful example! Size: 10" W x 15.75" H (25.4 cm x 40 cm).
  
  The eagle was a highly-symbolic animal among the Roman military and was a great symbol of pride and victory in the eyes of the legions. Known as "aquila" in Latin, the eagle was a representation of honor, victory, and cohesiveness within a legion. Stone effigies of the revered bird were typically displayed outside of prominent buildings likely used by members of the military elite or outside of palatial residences owned by the Roman aristocracy.
  
  One member of each legion was referred to as an aquilifer, or "eagle-bearer," as it was his primary duty to carry and protect that legion's designated bronze eagle standard. If ever an aquila was lost or stolen, it was the primary obligation of the aquilifer to go to any lengths to recover the standard and see to its safe return. Losing an eagle standard was considered a grave omen for its respective legion and would typically lead to distrust and paranoia among the legionaries. To quote a piece of historical fiction set in Roman Britain entitled "The Eagle of the Ninth" (Rosemary Sutcliff, 1954), "Eagle lost, honor lost; honor lost, all lost."
  
  Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection
  
  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.
  
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  #134558

  Condition

  This is a fragment of a larger sculpture. Restoration to majority of beak. Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age as expected, fading to finer carved details like feathers and facial features, roughness to most surfaces and base, and fading to pigmentation. Nice earthen deposits and traces of pigmentation throughout.
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