Ancient Roman Alabaster Serapis Head. 1st - 2nd century AD. 9.5 cm H. Spanish Export License
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€ 2,200
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Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 12,000 - € 15,000
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Serapis Head, Ancient Roman alabaster bust from the 1st–2nd century AD, 9.5 cm high (20 cm with stand), in excellent condition, from a private French collection, with a Spanish export license.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Serapis Head.
Ancient Roman, 1st - 2nd century AD.
Alabaster.
Height 9.5 cm and 20 cm with the stand.
PROVENANCE: Private collection, France. Acquired by family inheritance. 1970.
CONDITION: In a good state of preservation.
DESCRIPTION:
A beautiful head that belonged to a bust or sculpture, sculpted in translucent alabaster, of the syncretic Egyptian-Roman deity Serapis. It was probably intended to be placed on a private altar or as decoration in a room of a Roman domus. Similar examples have been found in both Egypt and Rome, as well as in other cities on the Italian peninsula. Its sculptural style suggests that it may well have been made in Egypt.
This deity is depicted in its most common form: an adult male with long hair and beard. The essential attribute that distinguished the images of Serapis from those of other similar gods is the calathus or modius, the sacred basket of the mysteries, symbol of abundance, which would have been made piece by piece. It unites the concepts of agricultural fertility, life and death; it was used in the art of Ancient Egypt and in the Greco-Roman world. It resembles the bun that was worn on the head to carry something heavy. Its name was given by scholars because of its resemblance to the Roman modius, an utensil used as a unit of measurement for grain capacity.
Ptolemy I, the first Greek ruler of Egypt after the death of Alexander the Great, declared Serapis to be the patron saint of Alexandria and the official god of Egypt and Greece, thus linking the two peoples. Ptolemy's intention was probably to find a deity who would command the respect and veneration of the Hellenes and the intensely traditionalist Egyptians alike. It is unlikely that the Greeks would have accepted a zoocephalous deity, in the Egyptian manner, whereas the Egyptians would have been more willing to accept any aspect for this god. A typical Greek icon was therefore chosen, which was proclaimed to be the anthropomorphic equivalent of a much revered Egyptian divinity, the ox Apis, assimilated to Osiris. Serapis is thus a syncretic divinity in which cultic practices of different origins are synthesised in a new image.
Notes:
The piece includes authenticity certificate.
The piece includes Spanish Export License (Passport for European Union) - If the piece is destined outside the European Union a substitution of the export permit should be requested. This process could take between 1 and 2 months.
#MasterpiecesW39
Seller's Story
Gallery of Ancient Art - Archeology based in Barcelona with more than fifteen years of experience. Specialized in classical art, Egyptian art, Asian art and pre-Columbian art. It guarantees the authenticity of all its pieces. It participates in the most important art fairs in Spain, such as Feriarte, as well as in fairs abroad, BRAFA, Parcours des Mondes, Cultures Brussels.
All the pieces are sent with an Export Permit issued by the Spanish Ministry of Culture.
We are quick to ship via DHL Express or Direct Art Transport.
Translated by Google TranslateSerapis Head.
Ancient Roman, 1st - 2nd century AD.
Alabaster.
Height 9.5 cm and 20 cm with the stand.
PROVENANCE: Private collection, France. Acquired by family inheritance. 1970.
CONDITION: In a good state of preservation.
DESCRIPTION:
A beautiful head that belonged to a bust or sculpture, sculpted in translucent alabaster, of the syncretic Egyptian-Roman deity Serapis. It was probably intended to be placed on a private altar or as decoration in a room of a Roman domus. Similar examples have been found in both Egypt and Rome, as well as in other cities on the Italian peninsula. Its sculptural style suggests that it may well have been made in Egypt.
This deity is depicted in its most common form: an adult male with long hair and beard. The essential attribute that distinguished the images of Serapis from those of other similar gods is the calathus or modius, the sacred basket of the mysteries, symbol of abundance, which would have been made piece by piece. It unites the concepts of agricultural fertility, life and death; it was used in the art of Ancient Egypt and in the Greco-Roman world. It resembles the bun that was worn on the head to carry something heavy. Its name was given by scholars because of its resemblance to the Roman modius, an utensil used as a unit of measurement for grain capacity.
Ptolemy I, the first Greek ruler of Egypt after the death of Alexander the Great, declared Serapis to be the patron saint of Alexandria and the official god of Egypt and Greece, thus linking the two peoples. Ptolemy's intention was probably to find a deity who would command the respect and veneration of the Hellenes and the intensely traditionalist Egyptians alike. It is unlikely that the Greeks would have accepted a zoocephalous deity, in the Egyptian manner, whereas the Egyptians would have been more willing to accept any aspect for this god. A typical Greek icon was therefore chosen, which was proclaimed to be the anthropomorphic equivalent of a much revered Egyptian divinity, the ox Apis, assimilated to Osiris. Serapis is thus a syncretic divinity in which cultic practices of different origins are synthesised in a new image.
Notes:
The piece includes authenticity certificate.
The piece includes Spanish Export License (Passport for European Union) - If the piece is destined outside the European Union a substitution of the export permit should be requested. This process could take between 1 and 2 months.
#MasterpiecesW39
Seller's Story
Gallery of Ancient Art - Archeology based in Barcelona with more than fifteen years of experience. Specialized in classical art, Egyptian art, Asian art and pre-Columbian art. It guarantees the authenticity of all its pieces. It participates in the most important art fairs in Spain, such as Feriarte, as well as in fairs abroad, BRAFA, Parcours des Mondes, Cultures Brussels.
All the pieces are sent with an Export Permit issued by the Spanish Ministry of Culture.
We are quick to ship via DHL Express or Direct Art Transport.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Culture
Ancient Roman
Century/ Timeframe
1st - 2nd century AD
Name of object
Serapis Head. 1st - 2nd century AD. 9.5 cm H. Spanish Export License
Acquired from
Private collection
Material
Alabaster
Condition
Excellent
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
