An auction dedicated exclusively to the classical world. Ancient Marbles will be held on 12 June at Sotheby's in London, and will offer ancient sculptures and works of art from the Greek, Roman and Etruscan periods.
Already in the Renaissance period, the collecting of ancient classical marble sculptures was considered synonymous with good taste and culture and the Sotheby's exhibition presents the works in a contemporary context. The sale will be introduced by a male bust with military paludamentum, probably a general, a significant piece that depicts a single model, but is representative of an entire era. Many artists have been collectors of classical sculpture, from Rubens to Cy Twombly. With estimates ranging from £2.000 to £500.000, the sale offers an exciting opportunity for new buyers as well as long-time collectors.
Another exceptional lot is a group of four ancient Roman statues that have been placed in a stunning colonnade around a swimming pool at the 'El Cerro' villa in Jamaica for half a century, which was inaugurated in 1968 by Douglas and Diene Cooper, Philadelphia jewelers overlooking Montego Bay. Everything at El Cerro reflected the luxurious lifestyle of Philadelphia high society, from the octagonal living room, which reproduced the shape of a diamond, to the toga parties. These ancient statues will now return to London, where they were purchased in the 60s.
Florent Heintz, head of Sotheby's Ancient Sculpture and Fine Art Department, said: “The legendary past of these ancient marbles is central to their allure; they transport the viewer back thousands of years and capture the imagination of institutions and private collectors. This can be felt above all in the most valuable lot of the sale, the magnificent Roman bust, whose strength is expressed both in the exuberance of the hair and in the magnetism of his gaze. Interest in the sector has been expanding in recent years, with a growing number of collectors who want to live with the best of the best – contemporary art alongside fine archaeological pieces”
