Lot 40B
Roman, later Imperial Period, from the Roman provinces, ca. late 2nd to 4th century CE. An incredible marble sarcophagus section - probably an upper corner - portraying a striding soldier looking back over his shoulder. At his feet is a loyal dog whose head and neck are clearly visible. The soldier is carved with fine details, including a large belt, the drapes and folds of his clothing, and a helmet secured with a strap that goes under his chin. The dog is similarly well-portrayed and appears to have been carved with a wide collar and his ears pressed back against his head. The man's arm rests over a column and he stands beneath an arch, his head superimposed over the architectural feature, as if he is bursting free from the carving. Comes with custom stand. Size: 4.2" L x 14.25" W x 18.5" H (10.7 cm x 36.2 cm x 47 cm); height on stand: 21.3" (54.1 cm)
In the 2nd century CE, sarcophagi became common in Rome, representing a shift in burial style from cremation to inhumation. Coffins could be made of wood, stone, lead, and, most luxuriously, marble. Most of these were low, rectangular shapes with flat lids, made to be placed on a wall or niche inside a mausoleum, so sides that would be visible would be highly decorated. Battle and hunting scenes, like this one probably depicts, were popular. It seems likely that individuals or their families commissioned specific subjects in order to commemorate the dead, and that artisans would have worked closely with them to realize their designs. What importance might a scene like this one have had to the deceased - perhaps they depicted a soldier in life, with a beloved pet dog? It is interesting to imagine the kind of person that this scene commemorates.
Provenance: private Carlton collection, Los Angeles, California, USA
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#122079
- Condition: This piece is a fragment, with losses at the edges, including the body of the dog, the man's legs below the knees, and his arms below the elbows. His nose is also lost. Weathering to stone surfaces as shown.
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