Lot 35
Roman, Eastern Provinces / Levant, the Hauran (southern Syria/northern Jordan), ca. 2nd to 4th century BCE. A striking basalt carving of Winged Victory or the goddess Victoria (Nike), standing in a wind-blown peplos that delicately drapes her sinuous body. Her stomach is highlighted with a teardrop-shaped form, a subtle reference to her female fertility, as she steps forward with her left leg, her right trailing. Below her waist, the folds of her garment draw inward, highlighting her shapely hips and tapering thighs. The basalt has weathered beautifully, and this is a rare non-marble example of Roman sculpture. Size: 9.5" L x 13.8" W x 18.6" H (24.1 cm x 35.1 cm x 47.2 cm); 26.8" H (68.1 cm) on included custom stand.
Basalt carving from the Roman period is known from throughout the Hauran. The region - which is largely a desert steppe punctuated by oases - includes the Lajat volcanic field. As a result, basalt is widely available and a unique and distinctive vernacular architecture grew in the region using the dark, porous stone. It is a fusion of Hellenistic, Nabatean, and Roman styles. Cities like Bosra, Qanawat, Shahba, and others contain Roman temples, theatres, and villas decorated with dark basalt carving like this statue. Depictions of Nike were common in the Hauran during the Roman period with some scholars estimating that various types of Nikai account for about 20% of all sculptural subjects in the region.
This sculpture may be either a portrayal of the goddess Victoria, who was a major part of Roman society and symbolized both success in war and triumph over death, or a winged victory, who represented the spirit of victory, rather than the goddess herself. Central to Roman iconography, winged victories are often found in pairs decorating the squandrels of Roman arches. Interestingly, portrayals of these winged women continued after the Christianization of the empire and, thus, evolved into the depiction of Christian angels.
Similar basalt torsos of Nike have hammered $10,625 at Christie's New York on June 10th, 2010 (lot 24, live auction 2323) and $10,000 at Sotheby's New York on December 8th, 2011 (lot 44, auction N08810).
Please note: items from Syria are not eligible for international shipping due to the US embargo on Syria.
Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA; ex-Setdart Auction House, Barcelona, Spain, January 24, 2023, lot 8; ex-M.V. collection, Madrid, Spain
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#179505
- Condition: The torso is a fragment as shown, with extensive weathering and losses, including pitting on the surface commensurate with age to stone. Nice remaining detail and form. Sculpture is removable from custom, concrete-filled stand.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |