Relief of a Season Sarcophagus with the Depiction of Autumn

Culture: Roman

Period: 2nd half of 3rd century A.D.

Material: Marble

Dimensions: 61 cm high

Price: Sold

Ref: 3324

Provenance: From the estate of the Viennese art dealer Reinhold Hofstätter (1927-2013), acquired the latest in the 1980s.

Condition: Fragment of impressive quality and size.

Description: Large marble sarcophagus relief depicting a youth (cupid) holding a captured hare with his right hand. The nude boy wears a wreath and a cape around the shoulder. In his left hand he holds the horn of plenty (cornucopia), where remains are still recognizable. Cupid here embodies autumn, just returning from the hunt. To his left once stood another youth, holding a basket with fruits and flowers. Winter and spring were possibly depicted on the other side. The seasons were popular motives on sarcophagus, especially in the 3rd century, because they represented the cycle of life. See for type reference the fragment in the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, USA from the collection of Abraham C. Webber, Accession Number 58.584. Mounted.