Roman Bronze Cautes / Cautopates Figure, ex-Sotheby's

Lot 59

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Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more

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Connoisseur's Delight Fine Art & Antiquities by Artemis Gallery

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Connoisseur's Delight Fine Art & Antiquities

By Artemis Gallery

Jun 27, 2024

Set Reminder 2024-06-27 11:00:00 2024-06-27 11:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Connoisseur's Delight Fine Art & Antiquities https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/connoisseurs-delight-fine-art-antiquities-16181 Classical antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com

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Lot Description

**First Time At Auction**

Roman, Imperial period, ca. 1st to 2nd century CE. A rare and quite remarkable bronze figure of a cautes or cautopates, an attendant of the sun god Mithras, depicted traditionally in a Phrygian cap and Persian style garments that emphasize the supposed oriental origins of the Mithraic cult. Standing contrapposto with weight on his left leg, the cult figure wears a short tunic over tight trousers a belt holding the tunic in place at the waist, and a long himation draped over the left shoulder. His right arm is outstretched to present a patera incised with an "X," while the left arm relaxed with the index finger pointing downwards, once holding a now-missing implement, likely a torch. Cautes and Cautopates are the torch-bearing attendants of the god Mithras. Usually depicted standing either side of the god, Cautes holds his torch up and Cautopates down, representing dichotomies such as the spring and autumn equinoxes, the sunrise and sunset, or life and death. Size: 1.6" L x 3.3" W x 6.8" H (4.1 cm x 8.4 cm x 17.3 cm); 8.3" H (21.1 cm) on included custom stand.

Mithraism, also known as the Mithraic mysteries or the Cult of Mithras, was a Roman mystery religion centered on the god Mithras. Although inspired by Iranian worship of the Zoroastrian divinity (yazata) Mithra, the Roman Mithras was linked to a new and distinctive imagery, and the level of continuity between Persian and Greco-Roman practice remains debatable. The mysteries were popular among the Imperial Roman army from the 1st to the 4th century CE.

This piece has ben exhibited at the Picker Art Gallery at Colgate University, Hamilton, New York from 1957 to 1996 and at Ball State University Art Museum, Indiana from 1996 to 2005.

Published in Royal Athena Galleries catalogue "Art of the Ancient World," IV, 1986, p. 106, no. 300

Provenance: ex-Royal Athena Galleries, New York City, New York, USA; ex-E.K. collection, Canton, Michigan, USA, acquired from Royal Athena in 1987; ex-Sotheby's London, December 10-11, 1984, lot 262

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#184694

Condition

Was once holding a now-missing implement, likely a torch, in his left hand. Permanently adhered to custom stand. Some nicks and abrasions to surface but otherwise, excellent with good detail and nice patina.
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