A Marble Cinerary Urn, Roman Imperial, Flavian, circa A.D. 69-96

Estimate

12,000 - 18,000 USD

bidding is closed

Description

A Marble Cinerary Urn, Roman Imperial, Flavian
Marble
16 1/2 by 16 1/4 by 12 1/2 in. 41.9 by 41.3 by 31.7 cm.

with rounded back, carved in front with four birds beneath a rectangular panel, two rams' heads supporting an olive garland, and an eagle in each corner, the inscription and lid each of later date.

Provenance

"Romae in hortis Montaltinis; e schedis Ptolomeis" (Muratori, op. cit.)
Sir Francis Cook, 1st Baronet (1817-1901), Doughty House, Richmond, Surrey
Sir Frederic Cook, 2nd Baronet (1844-1920)
Sir Herbert Cook, 3rd Baronet (1868-1939)
Sir Francis Cook, 4th Baronet (1907-1978), sold shortly after WWII
estate of Joan Griffiths (Christie's, London, July 28th, 2009, no. 288A, illus.)

Literature

Ludovico Antonio Muratori, Novus Thesaurus Veterum Inscriptionum, Milan, 1739-1742, p. 1319, no. 8
Adolf Michaelis, Ancient Marbles in Great Britain, Cambridge, 1882, p. 642, no. 80
Eugenie Strong, "Antiques in the Collection of Sir Frederic Cook, Bart., at Doughty House, Richmond," Journal of Hellenic Studies, vol. 28, 1908, p. 40, no. 65, fig. 23
Eugenie Strong, Antiques in the Collection of Sir Frederic Cook, Bart., at Doughty House, Richmond [reprint of JHS article], 1908, p. 42, no. 65, fig. 23
Frederike Sinn, Stadtrömische Marmorurnen, Mainz am Rhein, 1987, p. 149, no. 227

Condition

Surface evenly weathered, inscription and lid are modern, right hand front corner of lid possibly ancient.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

The inscription to L. Casperius Epaphroditus, which scholars deem to be a modern addition, is likely to have been copied from one in Naples (CIL VI.14480; Catalogo delle iscrizioni latine del Museo di Napoli, vol. 1, Naples, 2000, p. 114-115, no. 218).