3rd Dec, 2024 10:00
Fine Interiors
277
A Roman marble portrait bust of an Antonine prince
c.140 CE, depicted as a boy, his head turned slightly to dexter, with thick, deeply carved, curling hair and draped in a tunic from the neck, the eyes with incised pupils,
27cm wide
19cm deep
41cm high,
raised on a later black marble socle, 54cm high overall
Provenance: Lady Geraldine Inglis of Glencorse, believed to have been acquired c.1970s or earlier;
thence by descent.
Literature: Klaus Fittschen, 'Prinzenbildnisse antoninischer Zeit (Portraits of Antonine Princes)', pp.58, 74.
For other similar examples, see Getty Museum Collection, 'Relief Portrait of an Antonine Prince', c.140-150CE, no. 76.AA.73.
The form, carving and quality of the present example is consistent with other known portrait busts of the Nerva-Antonine period. It is a portrait of a child, apparently a boy, made around the middle decades of the 2nd century CE and features, such as the 'bridges' in the thick, curling hair and treatment of the eyes, with incised pupils and irises, are apparent in other known works of that date. For an example of the latter, see 'Marble head of a boy wearing a wreath', Metropolitan Museum, New York, no. 14.105.1.
The present piece recalls at first glance to be a younger version of an early Type 1 of Marcus Aurelius produced in his teens, about 139 CE, of which some twenty-five examples exist with a small, round, full-lipped mouth, see 'Bust of Marcus Aurelius', Capitoline Museums, Rome, no. 279. However, the main difference found in the present example is a lack of the stray locks hanging down the centre of the forehead.
Klaus Fittschen, in his study of portraits of Antonine princes, highlights an almost identical example in the collection at Castle Howard, Yorkshire (plate p.74 a-b), suggesting that it could be an image of Marcus Aurelius Fulvus Antoninus (d. before 138 CE); one of two sons of Antoninus Pius (86-161 CE) who died very young. The scholarship on the two sons is currently limited, however, there is suggestion that there was a cult of him and his brother Marcus Galerius Aurelius Antoninus (d. before 138 CE).
A named image of Galerius can be seen in a coin of uncertain Greek mint, which bears a noticeable familial similarity to the boy in the present example. In addition, there is another unnamed example that bears striking similarity to the Castle Howard bust, a 'Portrait head of a child in fine-grained white marble' in the collection of the Museum of Archaeology and Art of Maremma, Tuscany, with another two identical portraits cited by Wegner in Trier, at the Rhineland State Museum collection, no. 29238, and in Copenhagen, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, no. 3358. With the possible existence of five identical portraits of the young boy, it is reasonable to suggest that, even if the attributions are not definitive at this point, the sitter must have been a person of great significance.
Take advantage of our Sworders Delivery Service. Please see 'Shipping estimate' below.
Sold for £150,000
Condition Report
Some old areas of minor loss to the carving of the hair. The nose with three small old losses, and cross-hatched score marks. Some old scratches, tiny chips and pitting to the face, which has probably been cleaned. Traces of gold paint in places. White paint flecks to the face, with a trailing line over the lips. Some chips and losses to the folds of the robe, with some cracking in places, although the whole piece is structurally stable. Evidence of an old wax surface coating. The base of the bust has evidence of the remnants of the previous integral socle. Currently on a later socle, to which it fixed, however there is a little wobble at the join. Some dirt and dust. Please see additional photos for further reference to condition, and please contact the department for more information.
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Auction: Fine Interiors, 3rd Dec, 2024
Sworders are thrilled to share our full catalogue for the concluding Fine Interiors sale of 2024, featuring over 600 lots of fine and decorative art and furniture from several private collections and estates.
Leading the sale will be a private European collection of Roman sculpture, furniture and works of art, alongside an important marble bust of an Antonine prince, held in a private family collection for the last fifty years We are also fortunate to offer the selected contents of The Old House, a beautiful 16th- century manor house in the sought-after Bedfordshire village of Aspley Guise, which features a vast array of desirable and beautiful items for your home, kicking off the sale in style.
If you have any questions or enquiries, please contact the department for any further information here.
The Old House photography by jacobmilliganphotography
Viewing
Stansted Viewing | Auction
Viewing will be held at our Stansted Auction Rooms, Cambridge Road, Stansted Mountfitchet CM24 8GE, as follows:
Friday 29 November, 10am - 4pm
Sunday 1 December, 10am - 1pm
Monday 2 December, 10am - 4pm
The auction will take place at our Stansted Auction Rooms, Cambridge Road, Stansted Mountfitchet CM24 8GE.
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Please note that this item is not suitable for a pre-sale automated shipping estimate due to the items weight/size.
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