Lot 53
Rome, Imperial Period, ca. 2nd century CE. A stunning bronze statue depicting Venus (Greek Aphrodite), the goddess of beauty and love, nude save her crescent diadem over her centrally parted long flowing locks, the breast band (strophion) wrapped around her upper torso, and cloak flowing over her left shoulder and right thigh. She stands in contrapposto upon a round concave base with her weight shifted to the left leg, her left hand reaching up to playfully run her fingers through her long tresses, and her right hand gracefully extended outward with an upward palm. A breathtaking sculptural representation of the goddess whose sublime beauty legendarily inspired much rivalry among the gods. Size: 3" W x 6.5" H (7.6 cm x 16.5 cm)
The sculptor of this piece modeled the beautiful goddess of romantic love with the utmost sensitivity and skill. She is depicted with her head ever so slightly tipped to the right, her attractive coiffure parted at the center and swept back along the contours of her diadem, arranged in a twist at the nape of her neck, her long, wavy locks meticulously delineated with flowing tresses cascading over her shoulders. The goddess' elegant, oval face is meticulously modeled so as to present a naturalistic visage with a rounded forehead, large and generously lidded almond-shaped eyes, a fine browline that arches gracefully and merges with the bridge of her nose, a soft rounded chin, and full, bow-shaped, pursed lips.
Venus/Aphrodite has inspired countless depictions throughout art history, among the most famous, Attic sculptor Praxiteles's "Aphrodite of Knidos" (ca. 360 to 330 BCE), the equally famous "Lely's Venus" (ca. 100 to 199 CE), Alexandros of Antioch's "Venus de Milo" ( 130 to 100 BCE), the Renaissance artist Sandro Botticelli's masterful painting "Birth of Venus" (1484-86), and Baroque artist Peter Paul Rubens' equally masterful "Judgement of Paris" (ca. 1636) painting.
A Roman bronze Aphrodite (ca. 1st to 2nd century CE) sold at Christie's New York - Sale 2232, December, 11, 2009, lot 160 - for $25,000. Follow this link: http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/ancient-art-antiquities/a-roman-bronze-aphrodite-circa-1st-2nd-century-5274183-details.aspx?from=salesummery&intObjectID=5274183&sid=09c53564-ba7f-4a10-aa9b-3e66b6e283e0
Provenance: ex German collection; Gorny & Mosch, Munich, December 2012
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#127490
- Condition: Exceedingly fine save a few casting flaws to the figure and base. Beautiful green patina.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,000 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $25,000 |