Ancient Roman, Empire Marble Marble head - 13.5 cm
Starting bid
€ 1
Add to your favourites to get an alert when the auction starts.
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 6,500 - € 8,000
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 136024 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Description from the seller
ATTENTION for non-EU buyers: No shipping outside the European Union!
Youthful Bacchus head in marble
Roman period, 2nd – 3rd century AD
Height: 13.5 cm (without the base).
Description:
Elegant marble-white head sculpted to represent the god Bacchus (Dionysus) in his youthful aspect.
The face, treated according to aesthetic canons inherited from Hellenistic art, features harmonious and idealized traits: almond-shaped eyes with finely drawn lids, a straight nose, full lips slightly parted, and a delicately modeled chin.
The serene, dreamy expression lends great gentleness to the piece.
The abundant hairstyle is arranged in broad wavy strands framing the face. It is held by a frontal headband above which remain traces of a vegetal crown, probably consisting of ivy or grape leaves, emblematic attributes of the god of wine, fertility, and sacred drunkenness.
The generous volumes of the coiffure and the deliberately androgynous character of the face perfectly match Bacchus representations spread throughout the Roman Empire.
This sculpture is part of the tradition of late Greek models adapted and adopted by Roman workshops. It presumably belonged to a statue of larger dimensions or to a villa decor where Dionysian worship and imagery occupied a privileged place.
The marble preserves a beautiful ancient patina in ivory and honey tones, elegantly highlighting the modeling of the face and the details of the coiffure.
Condition:
Very good overall state of preservation. Wear and surface erosion consistent with age. Old break at the base of the neck. A few slight gaps affecting the reliefs of the vegetal crown.
Provenance:
Former private collection of Mr. H. B., Paris.
Then former Belgian private collection of Mr. A. D., assembled in the 1990s.
An invoice and a certificate of authenticity from the expert will be provided to the buyer.
The object will be shipped and insured by DHL Express.
Warning:
No shipping outside the European Union.
The seller guarantees and is entitled to sell/export this object.
The seller will not ship outside the EU.
Seller's Story
Founded in 1978, the gallery is dedicated to classical archaeology and ancient numismatics.
It is located in Brussels, in the historic Sablon district, a leading spot of the European antique market.
Translated by Google TranslateATTENTION for non-EU buyers: No shipping outside the European Union!
Youthful Bacchus head in marble
Roman period, 2nd – 3rd century AD
Height: 13.5 cm (without the base).
Description:
Elegant marble-white head sculpted to represent the god Bacchus (Dionysus) in his youthful aspect.
The face, treated according to aesthetic canons inherited from Hellenistic art, features harmonious and idealized traits: almond-shaped eyes with finely drawn lids, a straight nose, full lips slightly parted, and a delicately modeled chin.
The serene, dreamy expression lends great gentleness to the piece.
The abundant hairstyle is arranged in broad wavy strands framing the face. It is held by a frontal headband above which remain traces of a vegetal crown, probably consisting of ivy or grape leaves, emblematic attributes of the god of wine, fertility, and sacred drunkenness.
The generous volumes of the coiffure and the deliberately androgynous character of the face perfectly match Bacchus representations spread throughout the Roman Empire.
This sculpture is part of the tradition of late Greek models adapted and adopted by Roman workshops. It presumably belonged to a statue of larger dimensions or to a villa decor where Dionysian worship and imagery occupied a privileged place.
The marble preserves a beautiful ancient patina in ivory and honey tones, elegantly highlighting the modeling of the face and the details of the coiffure.
Condition:
Very good overall state of preservation. Wear and surface erosion consistent with age. Old break at the base of the neck. A few slight gaps affecting the reliefs of the vegetal crown.
Provenance:
Former private collection of Mr. H. B., Paris.
Then former Belgian private collection of Mr. A. D., assembled in the 1990s.
An invoice and a certificate of authenticity from the expert will be provided to the buyer.
The object will be shipped and insured by DHL Express.
Warning:
No shipping outside the European Union.
The seller guarantees and is entitled to sell/export this object.
The seller will not ship outside the EU.
Seller's Story
Founded in 1978, the gallery is dedicated to classical archaeology and ancient numismatics.
It is located in Brussels, in the historic Sablon district, a leading spot of the European antique market.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Culture
Ancient Roman, Empire
Century/timeframe
I - IIIème siècle A. D.
Name of object
Marble head
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2025
Material
Marble
Country acquired from
Belgium
Condition
Very good
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Height
13.5 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1990
Previous owner - country acquired from
Belgium
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
