Lot 15
A Hellenistic Bronze Hypnos
Estimate
$15,000 - $25,000

Sold for $138,600

Sold prices are inclusive of Buyer’s Premium
Lot Description
A Hellenistic Bronze Hypnos
Circa 1st Century B.C.-1st Century A.D.
Height 8 7/8 inches (22.54 cm).
Property from The Brummer Collection from Drs. John and Pat Laszlo, Atlanta, Georgia

Provenance: 
Joseph Altounian, prior to 1929.
Ernest Brummer (1891-1964), Paris & New York, acquired from the above, 15 June 1929.
Ella Bache Brummer, New York, 1964-1999; thence by descent to her nephew, Dr. John Laszlo, Atlanta, Georgia. 

Exhibited: 
North Carolina, Chapel Hill, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Small Sculptures in Bronze From the Classical World, 7 March-18 April 1976.

Published: 
G.K. Sams, Small Sculptures in Bronze From the Classical World (Exhibition Catalogue), North Carolina, 1976, no. 34.
For The Brummer Gallery Records at The Metropolitan Museum Cloisters Library and Archive, see Object Inventory Card Number: P6066a [https://libmma.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16028coll9/id/61697/rec/3]

Stepping stealthily forward, Hypnos (god of sleep) is shown as a nude adolescent with traces of childhood chubbiness still evident in his gently modeled thighs, buttocks, and pectorals. His wavy hair is pulled back from his face, tied low at the nape, and encircled by a thin fillet. Flaring wings with individually rendered feathers sprout from his temples and follow his hairline closely, serving to heighten the lightness of his approach. His face is full of benign focus and much of his weight is borne on his left foot with his torso twisting slightly to the left and down, presumably towards the prone subject of his ministrations. His now missing right arm once extended to hold a tilting horn full of soporific liquid. In his other hand, he would have held a stalk of poppy–the source of this opiate concoction. The full-scale late Classical original upon which this statuette is based is thought to have been the work of Praxiteles or Skopas. The number of extant copies in a variety of sizes is a testament to the subject’s popularity well into the Roman period.

Condition Report
Inspected under UV light and 10x loupe. Proper right foot repaired. Proper left portion of proper left wing missing. Some signs of possible overpaint on proper left shoulder and arm. Areas of malachite and azur patination. No obvious signs of bronze disease. Some pitting to proper left buttock/quad and proper right oblique/torso. Repair to proper right deltoid. Hollowed eyes likely for inlays (now lost). Height with stand 11 7/8 inches (30.16 cm).

The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Hindman staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.

The absence of a posted condition report on the Hindman website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Hindman.

Please email antiquities@hindmanauctions.com for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.