Octavia Minor: The beloved and only sister of Emperor Augustus

Octavia's busts in Rome, Athens, and Wiesbaden.

Octavia Thurina Minor was one of the very first of Roman women to have coins minted in her image. Nonetheless, it appears that only four of her portraits are known.

One is in Rome (titled Octavia from Velletri at the Museo Nazionale Romano, Italy), another in Athens (known as Octavia from Smyrna at the National Museum, Greece), and two in private collections: Wiesbaden (Germany), and New York at the Merrin Gallery.

Also known as Octavia the Younger, she was the grand-niece of Julius Caesar. She was married twice, the second time to Mark Antony by senatorial decree, with whom she lived in their Athenian mansion between 40–36 BC.

Mark Antony, a Roman politician and military commander, abandoned her for his former lover, Queen Cleopatra VII of Egypt.

In Octavia’s memory, her brother Augustus — whom she resembled very much — built the gate of Octavia and the Porticus Octavia in Rome. The first Roman emperor, and arguably one of the greatest, Augustus was also known as Octavian.

The Merrin Gallery’s portrait is still in private hands and is said to be the best one — a masterpiece of Roman portraiture; an extremely rare, life-size bust of one of Rome’s most prominent women — Octavia Thurina the Younger.

A portrait of Octavia Minor, Emperor Augustus' only sister, and Mark Anthony's wife. The bust is carved from Greek Pentelic marble at a life-like height of 18.1" (46 cm).

The Merrin Gallery – The New York Observer

In recent news, the Merrin Gallery was featured on The New York Observer’s list of veteran NYC galleries. Among several notorious galleries of midtown Manhattan, the Merrin Gallery on 724 Fifth Avenue was the only one specializing in ancient art:

The [Merrin] gallery dates back nearly 40 years and, pretty much, if you were a museum and you wanted a classical Greek or Roman statue, pre-Columbian relic or even a mummy during that period, you bought it here from Edward Merrin. Client museums included the Met, Brooklyn, the Getty and the Louvre. In the past decade, hot-button repatriation issues have quieted (though far from ended) collecting in this market, but the gallery, now run by Samuel Merrin, still has among the richer assortments of antiquities of any dealer in the area. Ask to see the secret cabinet behind the revolving wall.

The Tale of Edward Merrin

As recently posted about Sam’s father, Edward Merrin, there is a new public article detailing the birth of the Merrin Gallery as the leader for ancient and pre-Columbian art:

Edward Merrin’s destiny changed on his honeymoon. Taking his bride, Vivian, to Mexico, Edward was introduced to the wonders of pre-Columbian art. At first, he utilized ancient figurines as display props in his family’s jewelry store showroom, but eventually, the Edward H. Merrin Gallery was born as an independent business in the mid-1960s. Edward’s voracity, his appreciation for pre-Columbian aesthetics, and his “eye” led to his status as a true connoisseur…

Continue reading at: Edward Merrin and the Origins of the Gallery.

Roundup: Summer at The Merrin Gallery

With the summer long gone, it’s a good time to recap some of the major happenings for The Merrin Gallery and owner Sam Merrin. At the forefront of it all there were three new acquisitions, of fine ancient art:

1. An ancient Egyptian funerary figurine (early July)
2. A portrait head from ancient Peru (mid-July)
3. Another ancient Egyptian piece—limestone relief (late July)

A new season is approaching, so bookmark this blog or subscribe to get instant updates on all future events at The Merrin Gallery.

An Ancient Egyptian Limestone Relief

Originating from the Late Dynastic Period almost 2,700 years ago, this ancient Egyptian limestone relief is a great example of its time. The hieroglyphs include a plough and an owl which reads “plowing in…”, and since the action is moving to the left, the plough itself was probably just under its hieroglyphic counterpart with the figure guiding it. It was likely part of an agricultural scene.

Egyptian relief from the tomb of Mentuemhat at The Merrin gallery

Moche Portrait from Pre-Columbian Peru

This portrait head gives clear proof of the famous Moche artists’ great ability. The realism and expression of this figure approaches some of the best ancient portrait sculptures in the world. Originating in Peru and dated circa 400-550 A.D., it is at a lifelike height of 6¾ inches.

It was recently acquired by the Merrin Gallery from a private European collection, and notably has been published in “Trujillo Precolombino” by Jose Antonio de Lavalle (1996, p. 94).

New: Ancient Egyptian Ushabti of Neferibresaneith

The ushabtis of Neferibresaneith are among the most beautiful ones of the Late Period, dated circa 570-526 B.C during the reign of Amasis II. An ancient Egyptian funerary figurine, it was acquired by the Merrin Gallery from The Netherlands. More detailed information about this piece can be found on Sam Merrin & Gallery.

About Mr. Samuel Merrin of the Merrin Gallery

My name is Samuel Merrin, I am the president and owner of The Merrin Gallery, specializing in ancient, museum-quality art from Greece, Rome, Egypt, the Near East, Meso-America and South America.

Recognized by international museums and collectors as the top gallery for pre-Columbian art, we are proud to have helped create many major collections throughout America, Europe and Asia. Clients include leading museums such as the Met in New York City, the British Museum in London, the Louvre in Paris, among countless others.

Based in Manhattan, The Merrin Gallery, owned by myself and Moshe Bronstein, was established in 1987. While formally incorporated that year, it is a second-generation ancient art business founded by my father Edward Merrin in the ’60’s.

If you have any enquiries, you may contact us via The Merrin Gallery‘s official website.