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SAFANI GALLERY, INC.
980 Madison Avenue
New York, NY   10021
Telephone: (212) 570-6360
Fax:   (212) 861-4136
  Click here to email SAFANI GALLERY, INC.
  www.safani.com
Contacts: Alan Safani President
Areas of Specialization:   Ancient Egyptian, Roman and Greek Art as well as Ancient Near Eastern and Islamic art.
Established:   1998
ROMAN MARBLE SHIELD PORTRAIT OF A PHILOSOPHER<br>The fine portrait of a mature male with full hair and beard, pronounced cheekbones, recessed eyes, and deep nasolabial folds belongs to a sculptural type called "Shield Portrait," for the circular backdrop framing the piece. The origins of the type go back to the imago clipeata, the circular portrait surrounded by a laurel wreath that a triumphant Roman general would hang from his vexillum, or trophy standard. Through time this portable bronze device evolved into the kind of marble portrait often seen on Roman sarcophagi, making an iconographical allusion to the military prowess of the deceased, and later as the dignified vehicle to depict illustrious citizens and classical philosophers on public buildings and philosophical schools. The most striking examples come from the Turkish city of Aphrodisias, a thriving sculptural center during the later Roman empire.<br>Antonine or Severan, ca. AD 140-200 <br>H: 63 cm (24.9 in) <br>Avraham Ahdout Collection, Israel, acquired in 1982
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