Unknown marble Roman(?) sculpture from Andalusia Spain

Dear all,

below is a small marble sculpture i got from Granada last Christmas holiday.

The vendor said it's from Roman time, and been excavated from the river close by. (if my understanding of her Spanish language is correct. )

it's a square shape, so i would guess it's part of a longer/larger square marble, but i don't know what it could be.

looking at the figure, the curling hair and beard, could it be some god in Roman time? i tried to search but could not find useful clue yet.

Anyone familiar with Greek/Roman sculpture may have a clue? thanks!

unknown sculpture side by Dundun posted Sep 8, 2019 at 10:43 PM

unknown sculpture back by Dundun posted Sep 8, 2019 at 10:43 PM

unknown sculpture by Dundun posted Sep 8, 2019 at 10:42 PM

unknown sculpture by Dundun posted Sep 8, 2019 at 10:41 PM

 

Doesn't look like any of the typical depictions of either Greek or Roman deities, but that beard and hair reminds me of an Assyrian. (I think)

 

Your sculpture is neither Roman or Greek in design. If it were a true antiquity, would have been illegal to export it from Spain. Suspect you got your hair taken (as they say in Spanish.)

Debora

 

It doesn't look old, sorry. Even though they are stationary in soil, antiquities of this age will have a smoothness from dirt moving up against it.

 

Welcome @Dundun !

 

@Any Jewelry

I remember adding a great site talking about aging antiquities, but can't for the life of me locate the thread... ?

 

Was it this site, scouts?

http://www.collector-antiquities.com/real-or-fake/1/is-this-a-genuine-piece.html

It is very informative, but you have to browse through quite a few pages to find what you are looking for.

 

only thing that comes to my mind would be Visigoth or summarized sometimes as Goths; perhaps an adornment stone on a chapel or wall. the Germanic tribes "worked" flat and showed curly hair and typical moustaches.
if you remember the name of the shop we could have a look online to get a hint if it's complete tourist crap or a "eventually"...

 

I considered a Visigoth origin as well, but it doesn't look like any Visigoth carving I have seen. No beards or long curly hair.
Searching the www I came across these, which is the general style I remember, and much like other Western European carvings of the period:



Different texture of the hair as well:

https://arsartisticadventureofmankind.wordpress.com/2015/06/28/pre-romanesque-visigothic-art/

Two Visigoth reliefs stolen from a church near Burgos (and Dutch art detective Arthur Brand, who located them). Again that striped hair texture, this time with cross-hatching which could suggest a braided hairstyle:


https://www.livescience.com/64591-priceless-visigoth-art-rotted-in-english-garden.html


https://www.ctvnews.ca/lifestyle/in...-spanish-carvings-in-english-garden-1.4263716

 

I wonder if it is supposed to represent a member of the Sephardic Jewish community in Andalucia.

 

The beard style could be Persian. Images of their old kings like Darius and Xerses also show their hair braided across their forehead like the sculpture

https://www.beardstyles101.com/

 

I agree with the ringlets in hair and beard. But the Spanish(?) gentleman doesn't look as well-groomed as your usual ancient Persian

 

Hi Anyjewelry nice to see you thanks for your support last week. I agree with your grooming. He's still a handsome little fellow though not sure how he got to Spain

 

Thanks!

 

Thanks for the reply. It's from a kind of flea market, (but you are right) in a plaza where some tourist may go. So it's impossible to google it.

 

No, any... It wasn't a forum (although that's a nice one )

It was a archaeologist's page.

 

If I find it I'll post it.

 

Found it from Sardinian bronze figurine thread

This link has more to do with stones and ceramics, but I thought his point about how the surface on things buried will wear and soften over time was helpful. He provides detailed photos on how to spot tool marks on new "antiquities"
Authentication Tutorial
Actually from Premiere Auctions Group

Thanks, @Any Jewelry

 

Yes, I remember now, that was nice. Still is, of course.

 

Thanks a lot for your detailed information!

they look have different type of stone/marble to me, do they?