Roman Marble Sarcophagus Relief - Calydonian Hunt

Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A section of a frieze from a marble sarcophagus depicting an intriguing scene in low to high relief from the Calydonian Hunt - the hunt in progress - with a winged Nike/Victory (her wings serving as an indicator of the celebration and the win to come) holding a pair of birds in her right hand and a corn stalk in her left, being pulled on a wheeled chariot/vehicle by two boars with additional corn stalks in the background. On the right is a large Cupid (Greek Eros) holding his left shoulder with his right hand and leaning upon a walking stick or possibly Hercules' club, with phytomorphic forms and a lizard-like critter on the ground. Size: 25.5" W x 14.75" H (64.8 cm x 37.5 cm)

The boar references the Calydonian Boar, a monster of Greek mythology defeated by heroes in the infamous Calydonian Hunt. The story of the Calydonian Boar ignited the ancient Roman imagination as well; in fact, the Roman poet Ovid retold the story passionately in Metamorphoses.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-William Froelich collection, New York, USA, acquired in the 1970s

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#146836
Condition Report: A section from a sarcophagus with losses to peripheries as shown. Old chips/losses to various high-pointed areas such as the boars' snouts and ears, Nike's face and knee, Cupid's head, knees, and wings. Expected earthen deposits commensurate with age and exposure to the elements. Back is uncarved.