3rd Dec, 2024 10:00

Fine Interiors

 
 
 

A Roman marble torso of a youth

c.1st century CE, inspired by a Greek original of the 3rd quarter of the 5th century BCE, depicted nude, originally standing in contrapposto with weighted right leg, the left leg slightly advanced, with rounded buttocks below a muscular back emphasised by a sunken depression along the spine,
35cm wide
25cm deep
78cm high,
on a bronzed-metal plinth, 196cm high overall

Provenance: Sotheby’s, New York, 'Antiquities', 9 December 1981, lot 225;
Sotheby’s, New York, 'Antiquities and Islamic Art', 14 December 1993, lot 40;
the property of a European collector.

The present example is almost certainly inspired by an earlier Greek sculpture known as a kouros. These were free-standing statues of nude male youths, depicted as standard looking straight ahead, with arms down by the sides and slightly advancing left foot. Used as both a dedication to the gods in sanctuaries and as a grave monument in Greek society from the Archaic period (c.700-480 BCE), these figures were not a representation of any one individual, but the 'idea' of youth, and embodied many of the aristocratic ideals of the day; most notably, that of 'arete', a combination of physical beauty and nobility. For a society that revered male beauty and youth, the kouros was the artistic manifestation of these cultural ideals.

The methods of definition seen in the present piece correspond to a type of late kouroi of the 5th century BCE, whereby Greek sculptors had attained full knowledge of human anatomy and used it to create harmonious and proportionate depictions of the human body. The lithe torso has a well-defined vertical median line, a semicircular arch defining the lower boundary of the thorax, two transverse divisions depicting the abdominal muscles over round unhooded navel and pronounced iliac crests, overall favouring a more naturalistic appearance in contrast to the geometric and almost abstract patterns seen in earlier types. The stance and build of the torso is particularly reminiscent of the athletic sculptures of the late 5th century BCE Greek artist, Polykleitos, including the Doryphoros or 'spear-bearer', today only known from later, mainly Roman, marble copies.

Take advantage of our Sworders Delivery Service. Please see 'Shipping estimate' below.

Estimate
£120,000 - £180,000
 

Buyer's premium: 30.00% (inclusive of VAT, where applicable)

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Condition Report

The surface patina and incrustations have been removed, and the figure re-surfaced but the earlier surface is evident at the break of the left arm where a square dowel hole was created for an eventual insertion of a new arm.

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Please note that we normally offer this service for lots with an estimate of £500 or higher and all telephone bid requests must be received by close of business the day before the auction.

Auction: Fine Interiors, 3rd Dec, 2024

Sworders are very excited to share a preview of the final Fine Interiors sale of 2024, featuring fine and decorative art and furniture from several private collections and estates.

Leading the sale will be a private European collection of Roman sculpture, 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 desireable Bedfordshire village of Aspley Guise, exuding romantic charm and character.

The full catalogue will be released very soon, but in the meantime, please contact the department for any further information here.

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.

View all lots in this sale

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Sorry, we cannot calculate a pre-sale automated shipping cost due to the items weight/size.

Should you be successful in buying this item, a specific shipping estimate can be requested after the sale by using the link in your invoice email; this also includes requests for international delivery.

If you would like further information about shipping and collection please see here.

Buying a pre-loved, antique, or vintage item not only provides you with unique style and value for money but it also helps to reduce landfill, and the annual emissions of an antique or vintage piece can be as little as one sixteenth of those of its new equivalent!

Sworders is proud to be supporting the work of Antiques are Green - the movement that was founded in 2009 to promote “a greener future created from the past”. Read their fascinating carbon footprint study of a Georgian chest of drawers versus a modern equivalent here

 

Antiques are Green

 

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