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THBRoman Imperial Brass Bull Striding Forward
Lot 43
About Seller
Artemis Gallery
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
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
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$7,000 - $10,500
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Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $300 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
May 19, 2022
Set Reminder
2022-05-19 10:00:00
2022-05-19 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Fine Antiquities | Ethnographica | Fine Art
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/fine-antiquities-ethnographica-fine-art-9350
Featuring a very special collection of Fine Art from the Hollywood Hills, including Picasso & Rookwood ceramics! Also included are many fine examples of classical antiquities, ancient, and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Featuring a very special collection of Fine Art from the Hollywood Hills, including Picasso & Rookwood ceramics! Also included are many fine examples of classical antiquities, ancient, and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (342)
- Lot Description
Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 2nd century CE. A handsome brass statue of a humped bull depicted in the midst of motion, striding forward in a strikingly naturalistic pose. The body of the bull is proud with rippling musculature, a humped neck, powerful haunches, and an emphasized, ridged dewlap. His massive horns project outward symmetrically from just above horizontal ears. He turns his head slightly to his left as if taking note of the viewer, displaying veristic details with large eyes and a thick snout. The animal's lengthy tail swishes at his posterior. Size: 3.4" L x 1.3" W x 3.1" H (8.6 cm x 3.3 cm x 7.9 cm); 4.5" H (11.4 cm) on included custom stand.
Although the shape of the body is similar to those of zebu bulls, which were bred in India and may have been familiar to a well-traveled or educated Roman, it may also reflect the desire of the sculptor to portray the most masculine, virile bull possible. Some archaeological evidence also suggests that Romans imported the zebu bull - only the bulls - to be sacrificial animals, again because of their masculine appearance. This is certainly a portrait of a powerful animal, with a gorgeous turquoise patina!
Often seen as a fertility symbol, the bull was a sacred icon in ancient Rome, and during the 2nd to 4th centuries, Romans celebrated the taurobolium, when a bull was sacrificed as an offering to ensure the wellbeing of the people and the Roman state. The bull was also involved in the religious cult of the Mithraic mysteries, which was centered on the god Mithras and spread throughout the Roman Empire (there was even a temple to Mithras whose ruins are still visible today in the City of London). The scorpion would further tie into this myth, as it was believed that Mithras slayed a sacred bull with the help of a scorpion, along with other animals.
Cf. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 09.221.20e and 09.221.20f.
Provenance: ex-Royal Athena Gallery, New York, New York, USA; ex-German private collection; Gorny & Mosch, Munich, Germany, December 2012
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.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#127491A tiny loss (probably a casting flaw) to bottom of one back hoof. Otherwise generally excellent with deep green patina. Attached to modern marble stand.Condition
- Shipping Info
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All shipping is handled in-house for your convenience. Your invoice from Artemis Gallery will include shipping calculation instructions. If in doubt, please inquire BEFORE bidding for estimated shipping costs for individual items.
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