(Reposting from Facebook RAT. This sculpture is in Norfolk, Virginia, USA)
Seán Markham
28 mins · Virginia Beach, VA · Edited
At the museum I work at we have many artifacts which are fairly well marked, however we have one piece which is very interesting I think. Its listed as medieval, 1000-1200 CE, and as a "seated Gaul... not really seated, more leaning" but has many Roman features, more than usual for an 11th century piece. The bits that can't be seen too, but might help in ID'ing, behind the statue is a tree/column and on the sides near the base are the very distinct Roman-Greek style 4-5 petal flowers I've typically seen on statues-stone work of that era, but not on anything past the Roman age. Almost looks Roman military-auxiliary, and not medieval as listed, but maybe not? So, any ideas or thoughts on this statue? Byzantine maybe?
Seán Markham's photo.
Richard Campbell
Legio XX - Alexandria, Virginia
RAT member #6?
Thanks for posting this. Found my old account on here.
So just to make clear, he is not holding a sword or anything in his left hand. Seen it in person and nothing the looked like a blade weapon was in his hand.
Interesting to note is he might have long hair, but could be the way the cloak is too?
There is no other info for this as of righto now. Its old and found somewhere in Europe and at my museum, its listed as Medieval.... But I don't think it is, thus on here. Could be Carolingian Empire? Or Byzantine?
Interested in everyone's thoughts.
"And the four bare walls stand on the seashore. a wreck a skeleton a monument of that instability and vicissitude to which all things human are subject. Not a dwelling within sight, and the farm labourer, and curious traveller, are the only persons that ever visit the scene where once so many thousands were congregated." T.Lewin 1867
I think the items in his hands represent his profession...
perhaps Hellenistic, a Surveyor?
Ivor
"And the four bare walls stand on the seashore. a wreck a skeleton a monument of that instability and vicissitude to which all things human are subject. Not a dwelling within sight, and the farm labourer, and curious traveller, are the only persons that ever visit the scene where once so many thousands were congregated." T.Lewin 1867
ex military surveyor.?? The long tunic is bugging me tho.Please post if you get a positive ID otherwise i will have no hair left. Im sure ive read about long haired germanic mercanaries/ auxilliaries though
Anyway some questions :
Which Museum?
When was it acquired?
What stone is it made from?
I think this is probably Late Roman, I don't think its a soldier more likely an official (Tax)
Do you think its possible the "long hair" is part of a Halo?
Ivor
"And the four bare walls stand on the seashore. a wreck a skeleton a monument of that instability and vicissitude to which all things human are subject. Not a dwelling within sight, and the farm labourer, and curious traveller, are the only persons that ever visit the scene where once so many thousands were congregated." T.Lewin 1867
If it isn't written down on here, means there isn't much more info. There is a higher focus on the art end, not the item. Search around the site. There are lots of great statues, but might take awhile to find things. Use keywords carefully.
Just a thought.. could it be a romano-egyptian mummification worker? bandage in his right hand, hook thing for pullig brains through nose in left hand, waccy hairdo/headress