with rounded ends, each end panel in front carved in high relief with the personification of a Season in the form of an erote seated on a rocky outcrop with an animal underneath, Summer on the right holding ears of corn and Autumn on the left with clusters of grapes.

Italian private collection, circa 18th Century (based on restoration techniques)
Rome art market (based on a photograph archived in 1963)
Dr. Antoine Cloëtta, Switzerland, acquired in the 1950s
by descent to the previous owners until 2014, when acquired by the present owner

photograph accessioned in 1963, Deutsches Archäologisches Institut, Rome, neg. no. 63.2119 (//arachne.uni-koeln.de/item/objekt/136055)
Peter Kranz, Jahreszeiten-Sarkophage (Die antiken Sarkophagreliefs, vol. V.4), Berlin, 1984, p. 223, no. 142, pl. 66,1

Small section at bottom right of right-hand figural panel is restored and is whiter and smoother in appearance than rest of surface. Since it was used as a fountain, sarcophagus presents several holes, now filled, both along sides and at bottom. Eros figures abraded. Small animal underneath Eros figure on left-hand side is missing its head. Circa 4-5 inch-long loss to rim in back close to left end was once restored in marble. This restoration is now loose and kept separately. Surface appears dirtier in person than in photograph, particularly along bottom edge, where sarcophagus was resting directly over wet ground in owner's garden, and inside, where it was filled with soil and vegetation.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

According to Peter Kranz (op. cit., p. 63f.), the present lot is the earliest known example of a strigillated season sarcophagus, followed closely by an early Severan example in the cloisters of the Cathedral at Amalfi (Kranz, op. cit., p. 223, no. 141, pl. 66,2).