1208 - Heads of a Roman Emperor and Venus, Italy

Heads of a Roman Emperor and Venus, Italy Carved marble. Dimensions: 20 × 14 × 10 cm (each). An interesting pair of marble sculptural heads executed after celebrated models of Roman Classical sculpture, depicting Emperor Hadrian and Antinous, one of the most iconic pairings of antiquity. Both works faithfully reproduce the defining features of their ancient prototypes: Hadrian is portrayed with his characteristic full beard and abundant curly hair, in keeping with the official portrait type established during his reign (AD 117–138), while Antinous is represented with youthful, idealized features, full lips, and the distinctive mass of tightly curled hair associated with his celebrated likenesses. Executed between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, these sculptures belong to the Italian Classical Revival tradition, created to satisfy the growing demand among collectors and Grand Tour travellers for faithful reproductions of Greco-Roman masterpieces preserved in museums and archaeological collections. The refined carving, naturalistic treatment of the hair, and harmonious proportions demonstrate the high level of craftsmanship achieved by the Italian workshops specializing in this type of sculpture. The sculptures retain an attractive aged patina and form an elegant decorative and collectible ensemble, evoking the timeless refinement of Roman art and the renewed fascination with Classical antiquity that characterized Italian sculpture during the 19th and early 20th centuries.The bases or display stands shown are for illustrative purposes only and are not included in the lot.