Roman foot fragment

ITEM: Foot fragment
MATERIAL: Bronze
CULTURE: Roman
PERIOD: 1st - 2nd Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 25 mm x 50 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex European private collection, Ex Galerie Bader (1976), Ex private collection, M.E.S., Switzerland
PARALLEL: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Accession number 24.97.108

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 3 to 5 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the hammer price, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

A Roman foot fragment in bronze is an intriguing artifact that provides valuable insight into the art and craftsmanship of the ancient Roman world, specifically in terms of sculpture and decorative metalwork. These fragments often come from larger statues, bronze sculptures, or decorative objects, where they represent just a small part of a larger whole. Roman bronze sculptures were often created to honor gods, rulers, or significant figures, and a foot fragment may have come from a statue of an emperor, deity, or mythological character. Bronze, being durable and able to hold fine details, was a favored medium for creating both public monuments and private artwork in the Roman Empire.

The preservation of a bronze foot fragment often allows scholars to study the stylistic details that characterize Roman metalwork. These details could include realistic textures, such as the depiction of veins, muscles, and the fine lines of sandals or footwear, which demonstrate the high level of craftsmanship employed by Roman artisans. Such fragments reveal the naturalistic approach that Roman artists took when rendering the human body, drawing on Greek influences while also imbuing their sculptures with a sense of individuality and character. The foot itself, though a small piece, can indicate important stylistic choices in how the larger sculpture was conceived, including the use of contrapposto (a stance where weight is shifted to one leg), or drapery that might have flowed around the feet.

The context in which these foot fragments are found is also significant, as they can provide clues to the location and function of the original sculpture. Many bronze statues were commissioned for public spaces such as temples, forums, and baths, and could serve both decorative and commemorative purposes. If a foot fragment is part of a larger statue, it might suggest a statue that was once an important political or religious symbol. For example, foot fragments from a statue of a ruler could symbolize imperial propaganda or a cult of personality.