Sculpture from Ancient Rome and Egypt Headline Freeman’s | Hindman’s Spring Antiquities and Ancient Art Auction
Freeman’s | Hindman is pleased to present its spring Antiquities and Ancient Art auction on May 22 at its Chicago saleroom. The auction features more than 180 works of enduring beauty and cultural significance from across the ancient Mediterranean and Near East. The sale opens with a strong selection of Ancient Near Eastern material, including inscribed cuneiform tablets and votive figures (Lots 1–10), followed by a group of finely worked Egyptian objects in bronze, wood, and stone (Lots 11–36), highlighted by An Egyptian Granite Torso of an Official (Lot 21). Greek and South Italian pottery follow, along with a curated offering of Classical bronzes, marble sculpture, and mosaics.
Lot 138 | A Roman Marble Head of a God
$60,000 – 80,000I
A Myriad of Marble
Highlighting the sale is a strong collection of marble sculptures from the Roman Empire. The top lot of the selection is expected to be a 1st century B.C. to 1st Century A.D. life-sized torso of a young man at the cusp of adulthood, likely belonging to a young god (lot 142 | estimate: $120,000 – 180,000). In a relaxed standing pose, the sculptor achieves a deft balance between adolescent softness and emerging virile strength. While the missing head and limbs make confirming the figure’s identity difficult, the two most likely candidates are the gods Apollo and Dionysos.
Lot 142 | A Roman Marble Torso of a Youthful God
$120,000 – 180,000
A Roman marble head of a goddess from the 2nd century A.D. is also expected to receive significant interest (lot 145 | estimate: $80,000 – 120,000). With an undeniably imperious aspect imparted by her serene countenance and lofty crown, the head belongs to a sculptural type originating in the 5th century B.C. and favored for depictions of both goddesses and imperial women. Based on several well-known similar works from the era, the sculpture is likely a depiction of Juno.
Other marble sculptures of note include:
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Lot 138 | A Roman Marble Head of a God
Circa 1st-2nd Century A.D.
$60,000 – 80,000 -
Lot 146 | A Roman Marble Portrait Head of an Empress
Circa 1st Century A.D.
$40,000 – 60,000 -
Lot 139 | A Roman Marble Figure of Jupiter
Circa 2nd-3rd Century A.D.
$40,000 – 60,000
Prophet of Isis the Great
The top lot of the day is expected to come from ancient Egypt in the form of an Egyptian granite torso of an official from the Ptolemaic Period (lot 21 | $150,000 – 250,000). Preserving the tradition of elite temple sculpture well into the Ptolemaic era, this finely carved granite torso depicts the official Hor-maa-kheru standing in a conventional pose of formal devotion. The surface retains crisp modeling of the pectorals and abdomen, consistent with statuary associated with Mendes in the early third century B.C. The belt, unusually free of pleats, bears an inscription naming the owner and his parents. At the same time, the back-pillar carries vertical lines of hieroglyphs enumerating Hor-maa-kheru's religious titles, including “Prophet of Isis the Great, the Mother of the God, who resides in Mendes” and priest of the ram-god Ba-neb-djedet.
Other Highlights
Among the many highlights of the auction are:
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Lot 131 | A Roman Mosaic Panel with a Theater Mask
Circa 1st Century A.D.
$40,000 – 60,000 -
Lot 76 | An Attic Black-Figured Type B Amphora
Attributed to the Swing Painter, Circa 540-520 B.C.
$30,000 – 50,000 -
Lot 48 | A Parthian or Sasanian Turquoise-Glazed Rhyton
Circa 2nd-3rd Century A.D.
$30,000 – 40,000 -
Lot 101 | An Apulian Gnathian-Ware Calyx-Krater
Attributed to the Konnakis Painter, Circa 350 B.C.
$30,000 – 50,000