Art News

More than a game of marbles as Greek and Roman sculpture makes top prices at Bonhams

LONDON.- Greek and Roman sculpture performed strongly at Bonhams sale of Antiquities on October 5th in New Bond Street, London. Sculpture was one of the most powerful presences in the cities of both Greek and Roman cultures and was found in parks and squares, in temples and cemeteries and within many of the homes of the affluent too. This love affair with classical sculpture continues today as the Bonhams sale this week made clear in an auction that topped £1.4m. Top item in the sale at £118,850, was Lot 96, a Greek marble bust of a goddess of the Hellenistic Period, circa 3rd Century B.C, possibly Aphrodite but more likely to be Artemis. She is depicted with her head inclined to the left, her oval face with sensitively carved features has her deep-set lidded eyes with the original inlaid marble eyes remaining. An image of a household god, Lot 107, representing the Roman deity, Lar sold for £109,250. The bronze figure of the