ROMAN BRONZE STATUE OF MARS ‡
C. 2ND CENTURY A.D.
£25,200
Classical Ancient Art // Form Through Time
Auction: Classical Ancient Art - 21st March 2024 at 2pm
Description
cast bronze, the Roman god of war is depicted nude, with fine detailing to the musculature, his weight is placed on the right leg, the left leg behind and bent at the knee, he wears an Italo-Corinthian helmet with elaborate crest supported by a small figure of a griffin, the cheek guards pulled up, with his thick hair protruding from under the helmet, his right hand is raised, originally to hold a separate spear, now lost, in his left forward bent hand he once held a sword placed on his lower arm, raised on a bespoke mount
Dimensions
21.5cm high
Provenance
Provenance:
From the collection of the noted French archaeologist Louis-Gabriel Bellon (1819-1899), thence by family descent, accompanied by French antiquities passport
Footnote
Note:
This impressive Roman bronze figure of Mars is heavily influenced by depictions of Alexander the Great. It originates from the collection of Louis-Gabriel Bellon, a French archaeologist, painter, and collector, who assembled one of the most extensive collections of ancient Greek and Roman works in 19th-century Europe. Following his passing, a significant portion of his collection found a home in a purpose-built museum located in Bellon’s birthplace of Saint Nicolas-lez-Arras. Unfortunately, the museum was destroyed during the First World War and his collection was retained by his family throughout the 20th century. A number of pieces from his collection now reside in major institutions, including the British Museum and the Louvre.