Bidspirit auction | A ROMAN MARBLE RELIEF OF

A ROMAN MARBLE RELIEF OF A RAM, IMPERIAL PERIOD, CIRCA 1ST CENTURY A.D. - A Roman marble relief fragment finely carved in high relief with the head of a ram shown in profile. The animal is depicted with a powerful elongated muzzle, prominent almond-shaped eye and a magnificent curling horn sweeping around the side of the head. The horn is particularly boldly rendered, with deeply incised and regularly articulated ridges following its spiral form, while the facial features are defined by strong, flowing contours. The monumental scale and highly stylised treatment give the composition an imposing architectural character. The reverse is roughly worked with extensive ancient-looking tooling and chisel marks, contrasting with the more carefully finished relief surface. The ram was an important sacrificial and religious animal in the Greco-Roman world and appeared frequently in architectural sculpture and religious contexts. H: Approximately 24.5cm (incl. stand)