33. Roman balsamarium, Probably Egypt, c.2nd century AD
Bronze
Height: 11cm
10490
£ 3,800
Balsamarium in the form of a bust of a boy, his hair falling across his forehead in tousled locks, drapery pulled over his left shoulder and across the chest. His head is slightly turned as he gazes to the right. The round youthful face is well-modelled with high cheekbones, and wide eyes with incised pupils. Half of the suspension loop is missing, as is the lid, handle and separately made base.
The intentionally armless bust and the almost black patina both suggest this balsamarium could originate from the Roman workshops of Egypt.
The intentionally armless bust and the almost black patina both suggest this balsamarium could originate from the Roman workshops of Egypt.
Provenance
Private collection, Austria; acquired 1910, thence by descent for three generationsLiterature
For a stylistically similar example but of a slightly older youth with a bare chest compare A. de Ridder, Les Bronzes Antiques du Louvre, Tome II (Paris, 1915), pl.103, no.2940
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