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THBRoman Lead Sarcophagus Panel - Sphinx & Minerva Faces
Lot 56a
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:
$3,000 - $4,500
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| $20,000 | $2,500 |
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| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Jun 6, 2019
Set Reminder
2019-06-06 10:00:00
2019-06-06 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : VARIETY AUCTION | Ancient & Ethnographic
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/variety-auction-ancient-ethnographic-4182
Around the world & back in time - be amazed at the treasures you will find. Antiquities from Egypt, Greece, Italy and the Near East, Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Russian Icons, Fine Art, much more! All categories, all price ranges...all legal Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Around the world & back in time - be amazed at the treasures you will find. Antiquities from Egypt, Greece, Italy and the Near East, Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Russian Icons, Fine Art, much more! All categories, all price ranges...all legal Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (381)
- Lot Description
Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 2nd to 3rd century CE. A very large lead sarcophagus panel, the generally rectangular composition featuring an extensive cast decorative/iconographic program in bas relief. The composition is comprised of three sections separated by columns, likely Corinthian, presenting acanthus leaves on the capitals and vertical as well as spiraled fluting on the shafts below. From left to right: Minerva's (goddess of wisdom and warfare) visage surrounded by two dolphins above and flanked by grape/laurel leaf motifs; next, a winged female sphinx presenting a human head and breasts, legs and paws of a lion, and wings of a bird, surrounded by both grape and laurel leaf elements arranged in a symmetric design; finally, another Minerva face surrounded by dolphins and grape leaf motifs. The upper register presents a strand of berried laurel leaves framed by roped borders. An incredible example, replete with an impressive iconographic program that is replete with layers of meaning. Size: 35.375" W x 15.875" H (89.9 cm x 40.3 cm)
The sphinx, grape leaves, dolphins, and laurel leaves were popular Bacchic/Dionysiac motifs which can be traced back to the Greek Hellenistic world. The sphinx was believed to possess apotropaic properties and served to guard the tomb. The Romans were in part a maritime empire, and the iconography of the sea included dolphins, who they seem to have believed carried souls to the Fortunate Isles, perhaps because they could pass through the air-breathing terrestrial world and into the watery depths that claimed so many Roman sailors' lives. Minerva, as the goddess of wisdom and warfare, may indicate that the deceased was a noble warrior or was simply worthy of her protection.
Provenance: private Dallas, Texas, 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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#146673A section from a larger sarcophagus, but quite large and presenting extensive iconography. Losses and stable cracks to peripheries as shown. Repairs to lower section of central panel.Condition
- Shipping Info
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