Roman, Imperial period, ca. 2nd to 3rd century CE. A sensuous man's marble torso from a sarcophagus. The body is depicted nude, muscular, with his weight originally resting on his right leg and his right arm extended behind him, suggesting an athlete or hero. The carving is fantastic, demonstrating the Roman ability to depict the human body naturalistically. The torso may represent Hercules, who seems to have been a common subject of elite Roman sarcophagi, as the Herculean Sarcophagus of Genzano (held by the British Museum). Size: 6.65" W x 11" H (16.9 cm x 27.9 cm); 16.45" H (41.8 cm) on included custom stand.

Featured in Christie's December 9, 2010 sale, Lot 192, estimated at $7000-$9000.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; featured in Christie's December 9, 2010 auction, lot 192; ex-private Connecticut, USA collection, acquired in the 1980s

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#136321

Piece is a fragment as shown, with the torso, one arm, and one leg remaining. Surface has some wear, with light deposits in lower profile areas.