Published Roman Marble Cupid Bound - ex Sotheby's

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Exceptional Antiquities, Asian, Ethnographic

By Artemis Gallery

Feb 13, 2020

Set Reminder 2020-02-13 10:00:00 2020-02-13 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Exceptional Antiquities, Asian, Ethnographic https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-antiquities-asian-ethnographic-4848
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• Lot Description
  Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 2nd century CE. Finely carved in the round and possibly from a table support, a sculpture of Cupid (Greek Eros) standing against a tree trunk, with hands bound behind his back flanking the quiver of arrows slung on his back, all upon an integral square base. Cupid (Eros) is depicted as a nude cherub, standing in contrapposto, with his weight shifted to his left leg. In addition to possessing an impressive understanding of anatomy and an ability to render flesh from stone, the sculptor of this piece was skilled in communicating naturalism in Cupid's facial features - those generously lidded, almond-shaped eyes, apple cheeks, pudgy nose, and full lips - framed by a centrally parted wavy coiffure with braids flanking the part and curly locks resolving in neat ringlets. An incredible piece with an equally incredible provenance! Size: 6" L x 5.75" W x 18" H (15.2 cm x 14.6 cm x 45.7 cm)
  
  Cupid (Eros) was the mischievous yet endearing god of love, minion, constant companion, and according to some classical writers, son of the goddess Venus (Aphrodite). In the Roman period, Cupid (Eros) had become a child (to the earlier Greeks, he was a muscular youth), but here he retains his mischievous air, ready to draw his bow and strike lovers with the arrows in his quiver in hopes of helping couples fall in love through his not-entirely-innocent interventions.
  
  Provenance: European private collection, ca. 18th century (based on restoration techniques); Sotheby & Co., London, March 27, 1961, no. 97; Miklos Rozca (1907-1995), Los Angeles, California, acquired at the above sale; Santa Barbara Museum of Art, inv. No. 1995.26.66, by bequest from the above (Sotheby's New York, December 10, 1999, no. 396, illus); Khader, M. Baidun & Sons, Jerusalem, acquired in 2009; acquired by present owner from Sotheby's New York, July 2, 2019 - Lot 223
  
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  #152800

  Condition

  Restoration to nose, part of left breast, part of right wing, half of left wing, right lower leg including foot, left foot, plinth, and support. Earlier restoration to parts of wings. Nicks on both inner thighs, proper right arm, belly and chest. Surface cleaned and polished, somewhat abraded overall. Losses to peripheries of the base, wings, and other high pointed areas as shown. There is an old exhibition label on the front of the integral base which has darkened over the years and has some losses. This said, it is possible to make out some details of the brief description from what remains of the label.
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