Classical Roman Figurative Sculptures

Low relief representing a young woman Palmyra 3rd century Limestone 17.5 x 9.5 x 5.8 cm.

Roman marble torso of a satyr 2nd century AD H : 21 cm (without the base) Provenance : Collection of Monsieur G. (1970) , Paris Facing frontally, nude but for a nebris falling from his left shoulder this fine torso depicts a youthful body with subtle musculature. The fact that it is a skin, allows us to assume that the figure is one of a satyr. This deduction is confirmed by the fact that a small curly tail can be seen near the tailbone. The left arm lowered against the goatskin, while the right forearm would probably have been further forward as suggest by the pectoral and shoulder muscles, the satyr is standing with his weight on the left leg. The torso leans slightly back and this position gives a sense of movement, a degree of dynamism. Taking these deductions and the other pieces into account, it would seem that the pose is suggesting a dancing satyr. There are many different version of dancing satyr and two series of publications offer a good overview of the ancient sculptures included in the collections that were considered the most prominent during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The first series, entitled "Musée de sculpture antique et moderne", includes six volumes, published in 1826–1853. The publisher was the French count Charles Othon Frédéric Jean-Baptiste de Clarac. This quest was continued, about half a century later, by the French archaeologist Salomon Reinach. Reinach also published six volumes, although the first of these was a new issue of the plates published by Clarac. This series bears the title Répertoire de la statuaire grecque et romaine, and it was published between the years 1897–1930. In these two series of publications, the sculptures are depicted as they looked when they were drawn, including restorations. The drawings published by Clarac and Reinach include no less than 20 ancient sculptures representing “Satyrs with cymbals”. Even though sharing the trait specified, these sculptures display a lively variety. The pose of this satyr seems to be very close to that of the faun kept in the Borghese Gallery and thus described by Clarac (fig. 7):” Faune bien conservé et précieux, surtout par ses crotales antiques. Debout, nu et de face, il élève le bras droit tendu et abaisse la main gauche...

Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 2nd to 3rd century CE. A finely carved white marble sculpture of the draped female, perhaps a Muse or Venus (Greek Aphrodite) - the goddess of romantic lo...

A colossal 20th century American cast and gilt metal foot with a wonderful patina. Based on the oxidation to the metal, we believe this is from a larger larger statue that lived outd...

O/6460 - Rich gilded wood coping with angel head between an olive branch and an oak branch, to symbolize: olive: peace, faith, strenght, triumph, victory, h...

19th century or earlier carved marble statue of the Roman Goddess Fortuna, also known at Tyche. Well carved toga clad Roman female image in veil and Roman hairstyle. Holding attribut...

18th century hand carved Polychromed Madonna Statue, French or Italian? Stands 31.5 " tall, beautifully carved, age appropriate wear, Wonderful patina,...

Handsome Italian stone bust of a Classical Roman, circa 1920. This beautiful classical male bust sculpture is well detailed with great patina!

This is a fantastic Adolfo Cipriani, a very well-known Italian sculptor who did particular sensitive sculptures of young women with various poses and scenes. This piece is one of the...

The details of this late 19th century Italian alabaster carving of Eros and Psyche are incredibly intricate. So too is the story of Eros and Psyche. Psyche (which means “soul” in ...

Antique Italian terracotta classical bust on a wood base. Italian patinated terra cotta bust or sculpture of a classical Roman on a wood base, circa 1920, possibly a Grand Tour piece...

Italian plaster sculpture of a woman, Milan, 1980s Plaster sculpture of a face with a foulard. The cuts and folds of the scarf make it soft...