Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 2nd century CE. An expertly carved solid marble section that is a corner of a Roman garland sarcophagus - a type of monumental casket created during the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE - that features grand floral garlands whose swags are supported by entities such as erotes and victories - this one with an elegant winged Victoria (Greek counterpart being Nike). The goddess who personified victory both during times of war and peaceful competition stands with her right leg advancing and wears a flowing peplos dress, with the right shoulder revealed and folds of drapery meticulously rendered so as to billow over her curvaceous body. This fragment comes from the left corner of a sarcophagus, where Victory is perched on a rounded pedestal and bears a heavy garland on her shoulders. Size: 11.75" L x 9.5" W x 32.5" H (29.8 cm x 24.1 cm x 82.6 cm)
The wings of the goddess Victoria (Nike) symbolize the fleeting, ephemeral nature of victory, and given this, her presence upon a sarcophagus is appropos. A consummate symbol of victory, Victoria was a popular goddess worshipped throughout the Roman Empire. On this breathtaking marble fragment, she is rendered in a sharp, sophisticated carving style with fabulous detail and marvelous modelling. The sculptor of this piece clearly possessed exceptional talent.
For representative examples of the Roman garland sarcophagus, see Guntram Koch, "Sarkophage der romischen Kaiserzeit (Darmstadt, 1993), figs. 110 and 120.
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; New York, USA, acquired in the 1970s
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#139452
Condition
A section from a monument or sarcophagus. Missing head. Losses to arms, toes on right foot, wings, base, and high-pointed areas as shown.