Sale: CNG 69, Lot: 2267. Estimate $1000.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 8 June 2005.  Sold For $3300. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

[Antiquities] ROMAN. Bronze antefix with bust. Circa 1st-2nd century AD. Length 145mm. Cast bronze attachment for side of shrine or building, in the form of a youthful male with long hair, his half length nude bust set within a spray of four leaves, set on a small decorated plinth. Square object on top of head may be a modius or calathus. Engraved details. An iron rod is attached to the back, going up through the hollow head and out the top of the "modius", this for mounting on whatever surface the antefix was intended. Exceptional condition and fine imperial style, with a choice olive green patina on the front, uncleaned on the back. A magnificent ancient work of art. ($1000)

The identity of the figure is a bit problematic. The youthful male within a spray of leaves suggests a regenerative function, such as the cult figures Attis and Osiris, both of whom died young and were reborn. Both have associated tales of plants springing from their spilled blood. However, there are no other clear attributes tied to either of the figures, such as the shepherd's cap usually seen on portraits of Attis, mortal lover of Cybele. The object on the top of the head resembles the modius seen with Serapis, but that god is not typically depicted as a young man. We may have here another example of the syncretistic nature of Greco-Roman religion, combining the aspects of several deities into one.