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THBRoman Marble Sculpture of Drunken Hercules Urinating
Lot 76
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:
$20,000 - $30,000
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| $0 | $25 |
| $300 | $50 |
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| $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
Oct 7, 2021
Set Reminder
2021-10-07 10:00:00
2021-10-07 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Exceptional Antiquities Ethnographic Fine Art
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-antiquities-ethnographic-fine-art-7537
Museum-worthy examples of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, Far East / Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Fossils, Ancient Jewelry, Fine / Visual Arts, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Museum-worthy examples of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, Far East / Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Fossils, Ancient Jewelry, Fine / Visual Arts, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (371)
- Lot Description
Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 2nd century CE. An expertly carved marble sculpture of Hercules' torso in the round - inebriated and caught in the act of relieving himself. The sculptor has rendered our hero's body with well-defined musculature and anatomy as well as a lifelike drunken pose. Note how his left leg is advanced and his weight is shifted with a naturalistically arched back, extended abdomen, and a protruding right gluteal cheek as he holds his genitals to urinate after indulging in too much wine. A cloak likely from the skin of the Nemean Lion he defeated in his first labor is draped over his shoulders. Although the head is missing, we do see the curled tendrils of Hercules' coiffure cascading down his back and those of his beard falling to his chest. Size: 15.94" H (40.5 cm)
Sculptures depicting a drunken Hercules urinating were actually fairly popular in ancient Rome and are generally referred to as Hercules mingens meaning "Hercules pees." This statue was modeled with a Hellenistic philosophy in mind. Hellenistic subjects did not fit the Classical ideal; subjects were oftentimes either very old or very young, disfigured, exhausted (the famous Boxer at Rest in the Museo Nazionale Romano-Palazzo Massimo all Terme), or drunk like this example.
Although most think of Hercules as the strongest of all ancient heroes who met immense challenges, he also enjoyed life and all of its indulgences whenever possible. A man with a strong appetite and very little restraint, Hercules definitely enjoyed fruit of the vine. So it should come as no surprise that he became inebriated from time to time, and following this, needed to relieve himself as we see depicted in this piece.
Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2014; ex-German private collection, acquired in the 1980's; acquired by current owner from German auction house in 2014, Pre-Columbian art - Works of art from antiquity, coins and medals, anniversary auction 300 - "150 years of art trade in the family Numismatic tradition since 1887," Munich, 24 September 2014.
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.
#149159A torso section from a larger statue. Losses and abrasions to high-pointed areas commensurate with age. Mineral deposits grace the surface.Condition
- Shipping Info
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