Roman Marble Sculpture of a Bound Youth

Roman, Imperial Period, 2nd century CE. Expertly carved from marble, a captivating sculpture of a bound youth, his arms pulled behind his body as if tied to a pillar, his visage looking upward with an expression of resignation, presenting raised eyes, a naturalistic nose and ears, skillfully rendered cheeks and facial planes, a mustache above his full lips, and a wavy coiffure tucked beneath his Phrygian cap with two long strands before his ears. The sculptor also rendered the figure's physique - bare chested, with only a fabric strip around his waist - incredibly realistically. Note the strain implied by the delineated musculature of his chest and arms - even of his neck. Also note the suggestion of his skeletal structure beneath the flesh - his ribcage and collarbones in particular. A magnificent example in which the sculptor masterfully created human physiognomy from marble! Size: 12" H (30.5 cm); 16" H (40.6 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: ex Joseph S. Melchione Collection, ex Superior, 12 March 1994, lot 174

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#153331
Condition Report: A sizeable fragment from head to waist. Professionally cleaned with some restoration to the nose. Losses to peripheries and high pointed areas. Deposits grace the surface. Simply a marvelous example.