Works of Art
Roman Marble Head of Diocletian
Period: Late 3rd century A.D.
Culture: Late Roman
Category: Array
Dimensions: Height: 43cm, Width: 30cm
Price: POR
Provenance: Ex-German private collection, Dr. Attanasov, Munich. Acquired in the late 1970s.
Condition: The head is good condition, with some wear, a broken nose and portions of the front part of the wreath, some other minor chips.
Description
This impressive Roman marble head of a bearded man, perhaps Diocletian. The over life size dimension of the sculpture of lends one to conclude that it stems from a monumental figure. His head is turned to the left, with short beard, long moustache, large eyes with drilled concentric pupils and incised irises, eyebrows in relief, and furrowed brow. His hair is surmounted by a massive wreath of oak leaves centering a medallion.
Bibliography
Published:
Sotheby's New York, 8.12.2000, lot 137
Parallels:
Von Bothmmer D. et alii : "Glories of the Past, Ancient Art from the S. White and L. Levy Collection", New York, 1990, n° 165
Vermeule C.C. : " Roman Imperial Art in Greece and Asie Minor", Cambridge, 1968, p. 331.