Roman Fragment of Sarcophagus Depicting a Gorgon and Eros with Epitaph

View Similar Items

A Japanese netsuke depicting a monkey with a turtle

Gandharan Column Capital Fragment with an Image of the Buddha

A Japanese boxwood netsuke depicting a Dutchman with a child

A boxwood netsuke depicting a snake

2nd Century Indian Red Sandstone Fragment of a Woman

A Rare and Important Late Roman Marble Column

A boxwood netsuke depicting a peeled mandarin

A boxwood netsuke depicting a snake wrapping around a pumpkin

A boxwood netsuke depicting a monkey trying to catch a turtle

Early 19th Century Mounted Figural Fragment from Thailand

A boxwood netsuke depicting a toad on a circular stone millstone, signed Masanao

SMALL ANTIQUE ORIENTAL COPPER & BRONZE REPOUSSE JEWELLERY BOX DEPICTING CHICKENs

1 of 6

Roman Fragment of Sarcophagus Depicting a Gorgon and Eros with Epitaph

About the Item

ITEM: Fragment of sarcophagus depicting a Gorgon and Eros with libertus Marcus Aurelius epitaph, Pamphylia Type MATERIAL: Marble CULTURE: Roman, Asia Minor PERIOD: 2nd Century A.D, Antonine Period DIMENSIONS: 55 cm x 82 cm x 13 cm, 100 kg CONDITION: Good condition PROVENANCE: Ex French private collection, South of France, acquired before 1980 PARALLEL: Various similar pieces in Antalya Archaeological Museum, Turkey This sarcophagus presents in relief a mask of Gorgon in a garland of fruits and berries, to the left of the Gorgon, naked Eros, holding on his shoulders the end of the garland and the start of another. Above the Gorgon, a epitaph from libertus Marcus Aurelius. In Ancient Greece a Gorgoneion (a stone head, engraving, or drawing of a Gorgon face, often with snakes protruding wildly and the tongue sticking out between her fangs) frequently was used as an apotropaic symbol and placed on doors, walls, floors, coins, shields, breastplates, and tombstones in the hopes of warding off evil. In this regard Gorgoneia are similar to the sometimes grotesque faces on Chinese soldiers’ shields, also used generally as an amulet, a protection against the evil eye. Likewise, in Hindu mythology, Kali is often shown with a protruding tongue and snakes around her head. In some Greek myths, blood taken from the right side of a Gorgon could bring the dead back to life, yet blood taken from the left side was an instantly fatal poison. Athena gave a vial of the healing blood to Asclepius, which ultimately brought about his demise. Heracles is said to have obtained a lock of Medusa’s hair (which possessed the same powers as the head) from Athena and to have given it to Sterope, the daughter of Cepheus, as a protection for the town of Tegea against attack. According to the later idea of Medusa as a beautiful maiden, whose hair had been changed into snakes by Athena, the head was represented in works of art with a wonderfully handsome face, wrapped in the calm repose of death. The garland-bearer design was extremely popular in the Mediterranean. It first appeared at the end of the Hellenistic period, and its popularity expanded during the Roman period. The design reached a peak of popularity in the 2nd century CE, adorning sarcophagi made in Asia Minor to be sold in Rome. Greek garland bearer designs tend to be continuous, and the garlands are furnished with leaves and stems. Roman garland bearer designs are segmented and often use flowers and fruits for decoration. Garland bearers were also particularly associated to the cult of Dyonisos.

Dimensions:
Height: 21.66 in (55 cm)Width: 32.29 in (82 cm)Depth: 5.12 in (13 cm)
Style:
Classical Roman (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Marble
Period:
15th Century and Earlier
Date of Manufacture:
2nd Century A.D
Condition:
Seller Location:
EL CAMPELLO, ES
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU7382231319922

Antique 19th Century Japanese Japonisme Antiquities

Materials

Boxwood

A Japanese netsuke depicting a monkey with a turtle

$2,488

Gandharan Column Capital Fragment with an Image of the Buddha

Located in Austin, TX

A bold and expressive Gandharan carved gray schist column capital fragment, circa 2nd - 3rd century, ancient region of Gandhara. The fragment of a c...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Pakistani Hellenistic Sculptures

Materials

Schist

Gandharan Column Capital Fragment with an Image of the Buddha

$19,000

A Japanese boxwood netsuke depicting a Dutchman with a child

Located in Milano, IT

Boxwood netsuke depicting a Dutchman with a child on his shoulder and a trumpet. Excellent blond patina on the front contrasting with the darker part on the back. Large himotoshi h...

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Japanese Japonisme Antiquities

Materials

Boxwood

A Japanese boxwood netsuke depicting a Dutchman with a child

$4,629

A boxwood netsuke depicting a snake

Located in Milano, IT

Boxwood netsuke depicting a snake coiled around itself. Signature engraved under the base. Origin: Japan Period: Meiji late 19th century. Dimensions: 4 x 3.5 x 2 cm. State of co...

Category

Antique 19th Century Japonisme Antiquities

Materials

Boxwood

A boxwood netsuke depicting a snake

$2,083

2nd Century Indian Red Sandstone Fragment of a Woman

Located in Dallas, TX

Presenting a stunning little piece of Southeast Asian Indian Antiquity, namely, a Double-sided 2nd Century Red Sandstone Fragment of a Woman. From India, Uttar Pradesh, Mathura. This piece has impeccable Provenance ! It was purchased by a Private Dallas Collector at Christie’s New York Auction on 31st March 2005. Sale Number 1492, Lot No. 43. Christie’s operate a twice yearly auction of Southeast Asian Art & Antiquities in New York in the months of March and September. The sculpture was described as “Property of a European Estate. A Double-sided Red Sandstone Fragment of a Woman. India, Uttar Pradesh, Mathura, Circa 2nd Century.” “Both sides similarly depicting the lower body with a flared sash at left and remains of chained belt: marked with an accession number 1931 on reverse. 8 in (29.2 cm.) high” Provenance: Collection of Prince and Princess Aschwin zur Lippe-Biesterfeld, acquired on 1958?. It carried an Auction estimate of USD 3,000 to USD 5,000 and Sold for USD 2,880 (not including Buyers Premium). Allowing for inflation alone this would be over $6,300 in today’s value. It has substantially increased in value over the years as a RARE piece from a prestigious Collection and a RARE piece of antique Asian antiquity...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Indian Medieval Antiquities

Materials

Sandstone

2nd Century Indian Red Sandstone Fragment of a Woman

$8,500

A Rare and Important Late Roman Marble Column

Located in London, GB

A Rare and Important Late Roman Marble Column With a fluted spiral central column shaft rising to a carved integral capital with Corinthian ‘acanthus’ leaf decoration, the base with ...

Category