Cautes and Cautopates of Palermo

TNMM 654 ↔ CIMRM 165 & 166

CIMRM 166

Two white marble statues (H. 0.71 and 0.69). Palermo, Mus. Naz. (Inv. Nos 729/730).

The two torchbearers in tunic, long hanging cloak and Phrygian cap. They are holding their torches with both hands. Cross-legged.

These two white marble statues (71 and 69 cm high), together with a group of tauroctonic sculptures (CIMRM 164), belong to the same group that was part of the Astuto de Noto collection in the 18th century, which consisted partly of Sicilian monuments, but also of monuments acquired on the art market in Rome.

The tauroctonic relief and, in particular, the representation of the sacrificial grotto, which is similar to that of the Borghese relief [TNMM 131], suggest a Roman provenance for this set.

The two statues depict two young men with curly hair, standing cross-legged and dressed in oriental style: Phrygian cap, tunic, trousers (anaxyrides) and a long cloak held by a brooch, reaching from the shoulders to the calves. Each of them holds a long burning torch in both hands, pointing upwards and downwards respectively.