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THBRoman Marble Seated Figure of a Laughing Actor
Lot 75
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:
$2,000 - $3,000
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About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Sep 26, 2019
Set Reminder
2019-09-26 10:00:00
2019-09-26 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Exceptional Day 1: Antiquities & Asian Art
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-day-1-antiquities-asian-art-4437
Day 1 of an important 2-day auction featuring exceptional, museum-worthy examples of Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan, Roman, Viking, Russian, Near Eastern, as well as Asian Art from China, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Burma and India. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Day 1 of an important 2-day auction featuring exceptional, museum-worthy examples of Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan, Roman, Viking, Russian, Near Eastern, as well as Asian Art from China, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Burma and India. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (328)
- Lot Description
Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A delightful figure of a seated comedic actor, probably one playing a slave, hand-carved from a creamy white marble that glows warmly in the light. The figure appears to have been mounted on a staff or pole, as it has a thick socket on its underside. He is shown with his legs folded and his hands crossed over his lap, with some kind of pillow or seat carved beneath him. He wears a richly textured piece of clothing that covers nearly his entire body. His head is tilted back as if laughing, his mask carved to emphasize his massive open mouth and wide, staring eyes. The figure was likely once painted bright colors. Size: 2.05" W x 3.25" H (5.2 cm x 8.3 cm)
Theatre was hugely popular in ancient Rome, and also provided an important outlet for citizens to express their political leanings - sound familiar? Much Roman comedy was based on subverting expectations, such as disguising a young woman to appear undesirable or having a slave outsmart a master. This figure is likely a slave, based on his seated position - see the marble statuette of a figure in a similar pose at the British Museum, linked to below - which indicates that he is seeking refuge at an altar. This is the result of the slave having committed some transgression that he knows his master will punish him for - but his smiling face and general air of insouciant defiance suggests that the joke ultimately will be on the master.
See another marble sculpture of an actor portraying a slave at the British Museum (1805,0703.45).
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-private Upper West Side, New York, New York, USA collection, acquired in 1980's
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.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#149167Light wear on surface commensurate with age including a few small chips, nicks, and scratches. Light deposits with the creamy stone surface shining through in most areas.Condition
- Shipping Info
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