77 - A MAGNIFICENT PALMYRENE LIMESTONE RELIEF OF A MAN NAMED HERMES, 3RD CENTURY AD, PROBABLY INGHOLT GROUP III, CIRCA 200-273 AD

A MAGNIFICENT PALMYRENE LIMESTONE RELIEF OF A MAN NAMED HERMES, 3RD CENTURY AD, PROBABLY INGHOLT GROUP III, CIRCA 200-273 AD Published: G. Wilhelm Nebe, “Zwei neue palmyrenische Inschriften,” in Magdalena Dlugosz (ed.), Vom “Troglodytenland” ins Reich der Scheherazade: Archäologie, Kunst und Religion zwischen Okzident und Orient. Festschrift für Piotr O. Scholz zum 70. Geburtstag, Berlin, 2014, pp. 97-119. Expert’s note: Unlike many Palmyrene funerary portraits, the present relief preserves the identity of the deceased through its accompanying inscription, naming him as Hermes. This gives the portrait a rare personal dimension, directly connecting the image with the individual it commemorates. The distinction is well illustrated by the auction comparisons below, which include both the inscribed portrait of Demas and the portrait of an unidentified woman whose name has not survived. The dating of our portrait follows the chronological system established by the Danish archaeologist Harald Ingholt (1896-1985), one of the pioneering scholars of Palmyrene sculpture. In his seminal 1928 study Studier over Palmyrensk Skulptur, based largely on portraits securely dated by their inscriptions, Ingholt divided Palmyrene funerary sculpture into chronological and stylistic groups. His system remains a fundamental reference for the dating of Palmyrene portraiture today. The present relief most probably belongs to his Group III, corresponding to circa 200-273 AD. Syria, Palmyra, Roman period. The inscription was examined in 2012 by the Semitic scholar G. Wilhelm Nebe together with Prof. Dr. Klaus Beyer, who identified its script as Palmyrene cursive and read the three lines as šlm hrms ḥbl, “Image [or relief] of Hermes. Alas!” Nebe noted that the inscription was apparently previously unpublished and demonstrated that both the personal name Hermes and the funerary lament ḥbl are well attested in the Palmyrene epigraphic corpus. Provenance: A private collection, France, established in the 1960s, and thence by descent. Thereafter with Galerie Alte Römer, Hamburg, Germany. The private collection of Dr. Kai-Torsten Hohn, Dresden, Germany, acquired from the above in 2016. A copy of the a certificate from Galerie Alte Römer, confirming the dating and provenance above, accompanies this lot. Condition: Good condition, commensurate with age. Expected wear and weathering, scattered natural fissures. A restoration to his right shoulder and small restorations to his left eye, cheeks, and upper lip. Remnants of ancient black pigment. Remarkably, given the monumental size and considerable age of the sculpture, the extent of restoration is exceptionally limited. The surface displays a particularly fine, naturally grown ancient patina, lending the stone considerable depth and character. Weight: 90.8 kg (incl. stand) Dimensions: Height 45 cm (excl. stand), 56.5 cm (incl. stand) Mounted on an associated metal stand. (2) Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Christie’s New York, 3 February 2026, lot 9 Price: USD 127,000 or approx. EUR 110,000 converted at the time of writing Description: A Palmyrene limestone relief with a portrait bust of Demas, circa mid-2 nd-early 3 rd century AD Expert remark: Compare the closely related Palmyrene origin, limestone medium, half-length male funerary portrait, frontal presentation, draped costume, large articulated eyes, and identifying Palmyrene Aramaic inscription. Note the slightly larger size (54.6 cm) and the youthful, beardless sitter holding a scroll. Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Christie’s New York, 17 October 2023, lot 104 Price: USD 94,500 or approx. EUR 90,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A Palmyrene limestone relief with a portrait bust of a woman, circa late 2 nd-early 3 rd century A.D. Expert remark: Compare the closely related Palmyrene origin, dating, limestone medium, half-length funerary portrait, draped costume and large articulated eyes. Note the slightly larger size (51.4 cm) and the female subject. Due to length restriction on Drouot this entry is shortened. For full description please visit www.zacke.at.