Ptolemaic Marble Head, Possibly Ptolemy X Alexander I
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Description
Greek Egypt, Hellenistic / Ptolemaic period, ca. late 2nd to early 1st century BCE. A powerful marble portrait head of a Ptolemaic king, possibly Ptolemy X Alexander I, who ruled Cyprus from 114 to 107 BCE and Egypt from 107 to 88 BCE. His round face features a protruding brow and prominent eyes, crowned by a coiffure in 2 tiers of wispy curls and a wreath with 2 grape leaves and part of a vine remaining. Ptolemy X was the second son of Ptolemy VIII and Cleopatra III. When Ptolemy VIII died in 116 BC, Ptolemy IX became king with Cleopatra III as his co-regent and Alexander was sent to Cyprus to serve as governor. However, in 114?13 BC, he declared himself king. Cleopatra III quarreled with Ptolemy IX and arranged for Alexander to return to Egypt in 107 BC and replace his brother as co-regent (with modern sources calling him Ptolemy X). Size: 5.9" L x 6" W x 7.7" H (15 cm x 15.2 cm x 19.6 cm); 12.1" H (30.7 cm) on included custom stand.
During his reign, Ptolemy X had to fight against his brother Ptolemy IX to maintain control over the Egyptian throne. Cleopatra III and Ptolemy X fought a war against Ptolemy IX in the Hasmonean kingdom (103?102 BC), in which Ptolemy X successfully prevented his brother from invading Egypt. In 101 BC, he had his mother murdered, married his niece Berenice III, and appointed his new wife as co-regent. An Egyptian uprising in 91 BC caused Ptolemy X to lose control of the south of the country. In 88 BC, the people expelled him from Alexandria, recalling Ptolemy IX to the throne. Ptolemy X raised an army with Roman help and invaded Cyprus, but was killed.
Provenance: ex-Royal Athena Galleries, New York City, New York, USA; ex-private French collection, acquired on the Paris art market in 2011
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#184699
During his reign, Ptolemy X had to fight against his brother Ptolemy IX to maintain control over the Egyptian throne. Cleopatra III and Ptolemy X fought a war against Ptolemy IX in the Hasmonean kingdom (103?102 BC), in which Ptolemy X successfully prevented his brother from invading Egypt. In 101 BC, he had his mother murdered, married his niece Berenice III, and appointed his new wife as co-regent. An Egyptian uprising in 91 BC caused Ptolemy X to lose control of the south of the country. In 88 BC, the people expelled him from Alexandria, recalling Ptolemy IX to the throne. Ptolemy X raised an army with Roman help and invaded Cyprus, but was killed.
Provenance: ex-Royal Athena Galleries, New York City, New York, USA; ex-private French collection, acquired on the Paris art market in 2011
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#184699
Condition
Fragment of a larger piece; missing nose and verso of head with chipping to lips, chin, hair, ears, cheeks, and brow. Heavy weathering to surface as shown. Liberal remaining detail.
Buyer's Premium
- 27.5%
Ptolemaic Marble Head, Possibly Ptolemy X Alexander I
Estimate $15,000 - $22,500
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Auction Curated By
Owner/Executive Director, Antiquities & Pre-Columbian Art
PhD. Art History, Director, Fine & Visual Arts
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