164 - Roman Marble Figure of a Persian Water Carrier. On Loan to La Trobe University, Australia, 1981-1986

Roman Marble Figure of a Persian Water Carrier. On Loan to La Trobe University, Australia, 1981-1986 2nd century A.D. Depicted kneeling on his right knee, his left hand resting on his left knee, his right arm raised to support the water jar on his shoulders, shown wearing a Phrygian cap over his curling hair, dressed in a belted tunic falling in thick folds, the lower drapery stretched over the knees, and strapping on the legs, with a long cloak over the top, pinned at his right shoulder and falling down his back, set on an integral base. Cf. Schneider, R.M., Bunte Barbaren, Worms, 1986, plates 12-13, for similar depictions; see also Smith, A.H., A catalogue of sculpture in the department of Greek and Roman Antiquities, British Museum, vol.III, London, 1904; Bianchi Bandinelli, R., Roma, l arte romana nel centro del potere, Milan, 1969; Schneider, R.M., Bunte Barbaren, Orientalenstatuen aus farbigem Marmor in der r mischen Repr sentationskunst, Worms, 1986, pls.1-13 and particularly 11-12. 39.45 kg, 59.7 cm (23 1/2 in.). (For this specific lot, 5% import VAT is applicable on the hammer price.) Ex private collection, Europe. Ex Australian collection, 1960s. On loan to La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia, 1981-1986. Bonhams, London, 28 April 2010, no.139. Private collection, Europe. Accompanied by a printed copy of the Spanish cultural export licence no.1775-3178156. Accompanied by a copy of the Graham Geddes, Antiques & Antiquities invoice, 17 April 2007. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate, no.2709AM. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Bonhams catalogue pages. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no. 10272-168595. The image of the subjected foreigner ( barbarian ) became particularly prevalent in the late 1st and early 2nd centuries A.D. as a reflection of increased Roman expansion and part of an iconography of empire and triumph. The clean-shaven face of this figure indicates that it represents a so-called 'Oriental', i.e., a Persian, instead of a bearded European. TimeLine Auctions follows a rigorous vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists. See our website for more information.