Description:

Central Europe / Continental, ca. 14th century CE. A finely carved bovine bone comb depicting a scene from the legend of the founding of Rome with a she-wolf suckling the mythical twins and founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus. A schematic feather-like motif is incised above the bas relief imagery and stylized geometric motifs are incised on the verso. The theme for this comb was inspired by the famous statue of La Lupa Capitolina, the Capitoline Wolf, depicted suckling the twins Romulus and Remus, standing on a rectangular plinth. Although we now believe that the statue was originally made in the 13th century, its artist would have believed he or she was copying something from the 5th century BCE Etruscan world. This myth of the foundation of Rome is one of the most enduring and recognizable in the world, and this charming comb is a nice reminder of it. Size: 2.875" W x 2.4" H (7.3 cm x 6.1 cm)

Provenance: private New Jersey, USA collection; ex-Stavros Nikolaides collection, Cyprus

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#156524

  • Condition: Losses to some prongs on one side as shown. Light encrustations and abrasions to obverse and verso, with light softening to some finer details. Great patina throughout.

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January 7, 2021 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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