Description:

Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 2nd century CE. A beautiful life-size marble head of Venus (Greek Aphrodite), the goddess of love and beauty. Her visage presents with sizable, almond-shaped eyes, smoothly arched brows, a feminine forehead, fleshy cheeks, full lips, and a shapely chin, all beneath a wonderful, centrally-parted coiffure with wavy locks cascading down to her ears. The beautiful white-grained marble features areas of light encrustation indicative of its age. This head was likely part of a larger temple dedicated to the goddess. Size: 6" L x 9.5" W x 11" H (15.2 cm x 24.1 cm x 27.9 cm)

A breathtaking representation of the goddess who possessed such sublime beauty that she inspired much rivalry among the gods, all of whom wished to make her his wife. According to classical mythology, Jupiter (Zeus) determined that Venus (Aphrodite) would marry Vulcan (Hephaestus), the handicapped blacksmith god. Vulcan in turn created a magical girdle to guarantee her fidelity. Unfortunately for him, the Goddess of Love and Beauty proved unfaithful. Venus (Aphrodite) has inspired countless representations in visual culture, among the most famous, Attic sculptor Praxiteles' "Aphrodite of Knidos" (ca. 360 to 330 BCE) and Renaissance painter Sandro Botticelli's "Birth of Venus" (1484-86).

Please note that this piece is a dropship item, meaning that it will be shipping from the consignor's location. All information regarding condition, size, stone identification, and metal content have been provided by the consignor.

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA; ex-private Upstate New York, USA collection, acquired in the 1980s

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#187496

  • Condition: Please note that this piece is a dropship item, meaning that it will be shipping from the consignor's location. All information regarding condition, size, stone identification, and metal content have been provided by the consignor.

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June 27, 2024 9:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
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 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000