6³⁄₄ in. (17.2 cm.) high

with Michel Abemayor (1912-1975), New York; thence by descent.
Property from the Estate of Michel Abemayor, New York; Antiquities, Parke Bernet, New York, 11 December 1976, lot 70.
with Thomas Howard-Sneyd (1940-2010), London, acquired by 1987.
with Charles Ede Ltd., London.
Acquired by the current owner from the above in 2009.

F. F. Jones, "A Bronze Head-Vase," Record of the Art Museum, Princeton University, vol. 46, no. 2, 1987, p. 21, no. 5, fig. 8.
J. Spier, "Roman Bronzes," in M. Merrony, ed., Mougins Museum of Classical Art, Mougins, 2011, p. 138, fig. 27.
"C'est quoi cette oeuvre?," Mougins Infos, April-May 2019, p. 35.

Musée d'Art Classique de Mougins, 2011-2023 (Inv. no. MMoCA291).

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Lot Essay

The youth is depicted with thick curly hair and a serene expression. His eyes are inlaid with silver, and a simple necklace incised around his neck may have also been inlaid. His drapery is secured by a circular fibula, including an animal skin of which the head and hoof fall on the left side of his chest.

Antinous was a favourite of the emperor Hadrian, and joined him on his tours of the empire. In 130 A.D., during their visit to Egypt, Antinous drowned in the Nile, leaving the emperor devastated. Nearby, Hadrian founded the city of Antinopolis in his lover's name. The youth was deified, and the cult of Antinous quickly rose in popularity. His likeness proved a popular subject, including for balsamarii such as this example. For further discussion of bronze head vessels, including those of Antinous, see F. F. Jones, "A Bronze Head-Vase," Record of the Art Museum, Princeton University, vol. 46, no. 2, 1987.