Bronze with patina, marble base
Presumably Italy, late 19th century
After an antique Roman model of the 1st century BC, today in the Archaeological Museum in Naples ‘Pseudo-Seneca’ nowadays also identified as Aristophanes or the poets Ennius and Hesiod
Bust of a bearded old man, the iris of the right eye missing like the Roman original
Mounted on a round and profiled base of dark red and gray veined marble
Overall height, including the base: 45 cm
Very good condition
Famous and much discussed bust of the Pseudo-Seneca, here in an excellent 19th century museum copy. A similar bust by Vincenzo Gemito (1852-1929) was auctioned for almost €15,000 in 2007

The supposable Italian bust of the so-called ‘Pseudo-Seneca’ dates from the late 19th century and was crafted according to a Roman original from the 1st century BC., originating from the Villa dei Papiri near Herculaneum. It was excavated in 1754 and today is on display in the Archaeological Museum of Naples. The ‘Pseudo-Seneca’ is nowadays also identified as Aristophanes or as one of the poets Ennius and Hesiod. The bronze impresses with its incredibly detailed completion, particularly in the beard and the head hair. The iris of the right eye is missing exactly like it is in the original.

The bronze is mounted on a round and profiled base of dark red and gray veined marble. It is in very good condition, showing only minor wear. The bust measures 33 cm without the base. The base is 12 cm in height.

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