- 64
A Roman Marble Cinerary Urn and Lid, circa 1st Century A.D.
Estimate
25,000 - 35,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- A Roman Marble Cinerary Urn and Lid
- MARBLE
- Heigh 57 cm.
of cylindrical form, carved in low relief in front with a blank rectangular panel flanked by confronted griffins standing with their head turned up and back, and on the back with a frontal erote emerging with arms and wings outstretched from a calyx of acanthus leaves linked to two rising scrolling stalks centering rosettes on either side, the top of the domed lid decorated with radiating overlapping pointed leaves, small rounded leaves below the knob; mortises below the rim of the chest for insertion of now missing lead clamps.
Provenance
the violinist Albert Spalding (1888-1953), New York, and Pittsfield, Massachusetts
The Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, 1953-1973 (never formally accessioned into the collection)
acquired by the previous owner, Pittsfield and Florida, in 1973 (Christie's, New York, December 9th, 2015, no. 59, illus.)
acquired by the current owner in the above sale
The Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, 1953-1973 (never formally accessioned into the collection)
acquired by the previous owner, Pittsfield and Florida, in 1973 (Christie's, New York, December 9th, 2015, no. 59, illus.)
acquired by the current owner in the above sale
Condition
Surface weathered overall, particularly on lid. Stable and superficial stress crack running horizontally along 80% of perimeter across griffin legs and lower rosettes. Edges of base and rim abraded. Larger chip above griffin head. Bronze tenon preserved in vertical hole on top of urn's edge.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
For a typologically related example with scrolling vine in the back see D. Boschung, H. v. Hesberg, and A. Linfert, Die antiken Skulpturen in Chatsworth sowie in Dunham Massey und Withington Hall, 1997, no. 88 (//arachne.uni-koeln.de/item/objekt/4176).