Marble Relief Head of a Warrior from an Attic Sarcophagus

Culture: Greek/attic

Period: early 3rd century A.D.

Material: Marble

Dimensions: 13,2 cm x 9,5 cm

Price: 6 000 Euro

Ref: 2472

Provenance: Bonhams auction 12 December 1996, lot 294. Acquired there by Antikenkabinett Gackstätter and inventoried with list number 01437. With original certificate from the Antikenkabinett Gackstätter and a handwritten note by Bernd Gackstätter. Most recently in a Munich collection of ancient idols.

Condition: Unrestored. The nose worn off, wear on the face and on the helmet, as seen on the photo.

Description: Marble head of a young soldier worked out in high quality from an Attic workshop. The semi-sculptural head is from a relief of a sarcophagus. It depicts the young soldier facing to the right. He wears a helmet with a fitting neck guard, narrow cheek pieces, which reach to the chin, front plate, crest and plume. He has his vigilant eyes wide and his mouth slightly open. The tension in his features is clearly visible. Also of high quality is the detailed worked out neck part. Remains of a thrown over cape are still recognizable on his right side. The head may be from a sarcophagus with scenes of Achilles’ life. See for example: Sabine Rogge: „Die attischen Sarkophage. Achill und Hyppolytos. Die antiken Sarkophagreliefs”, Berlin 1995, no. 21, fig. 48. As well as the right side of the sarcophagus in Louvre from the Borghese collection „Achilles am Hof des Lykomedes“ with the inventory number Ma 2120. For the type also: Erika Simon “The Kurashiki Ningawa Museum. Greek Etruscan and Roman Antiquities”, Mainz 1982, no. 177, page 265. Mounted.