About the Work

The work depicts an over life-sized, semi-draped male figure from the Roman Empire, dating back to the 2nd century AD. Positioned frontally, with the left leg slightly apart and advanced, the sculpture rests on a support.

The shoulder insertion of the proper right arm remains, while the proper left arm holds a cornucopia. The cornucopia is adorned with low-relief acanthus leaves, and it spills forth fruits such as pine cones and clusters of grapes. On the back, it appears a fin of a fish or a reptile, though the body of this creature, no longer visible, once coiled around the drapery.

A mantle descends to cover the proper left shoulder and arm, wrapping around the side and proper right leg, while the feet are bare.

The sculpture represents an absolute rarity within the realm of Roman statuary, characterized by life-size dimensions and full-round composition, centered around the subject of Bonus Eventus.

Bonus Eventus was a significant divine figure in Roman culture, revered as the god of good fortune and success in daily endeavors. His name, which can be translated as “Good Outcome” or “Good Success” reflects his role in ensuring positive outcomes in various contexts, including agriculture and commerce.

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Provenance

- Thomas Herbert, 8th Earl of Pembroke (1656–1733), Wilton House, Wiltshire, United Kingdom;
- Henry, 9th Earl of Pembroke (1693–1749);
- Henry, 10th Earl of Pembroke (1734–1794);
- George Augustus, 11th Earl of Pembroke (1759–1827);
- Robert Henry, 12th Earl of Pembroke (1791–1862);
- George Robert Charles, 13th Earl of Pembroke (1850–1895);
- Sidney, 14th Earl of Pembroke (1853–1913);
- Reginald, 15th Earl of Pembroke (1880–1960);
- Sidney Charles, 16th Earl of Pembroke (1906–1969);
- Christie's Manson & Woods Ltd, London, “Wilton House, A Selected Portion of the Collection of Ancient Marbles formed by Thomas, 8th Earl of Pembroke”, 3 July 1961, lot 148 (illustrated on the frontispiece);
- Cavagnis Lacerenza Gallery from 2021.

Literature

- Cary Creed, The Marble Antiquities, The Right Hon. The Earl of Pembroke's, at Wilton, &c., 1731, fig. 24;
- Charles, Comte de Clarac, Musée de sculpture antique et moderne, vol. V, Paris, 1839–1841, fig. 438f, work no. 803 A ;
- Adolf Michaelis, Ancient Marbles in Great Britain, 1882, p. 670, work no. 1;
- Salomon Reinach, Répertoire de la statuaire grecque et romaine, vol. I, Paris, 1916, p. 214;
- Christie's Manson & Woods Ltd, London, “Wilton House, A Selected Portion of the Collection of Ancient Marbles formed by Thomas, 8th Earl of Pembroke”, 3 July 1961, lot 148 (illustrated on the frontispiece).