Roman Alabaster Venus Figure, ex-Christie's

About Auction

Live

DAY 1 | Antiquities, Asian, Russian, Fine Art...

By Artemis Gallery

Jun 20, 2018

Set Reminder 2018-06-20 10:00:00 2018-06-20 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : DAY 1 | Antiquities, Asian, Russian, Fine Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/day-1-antiquities-asian-russian-fine-art-3276
Day 1 of an important 2-day auction featuring exceptional art from around the world Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com

View Full Catalog (257)

• Lot Description
  Roman Empire, Imperial Period, ca. 2nd century CE. A finely carved alabaster sculpture of Venus (Greek Aphrodite), the goddess of romantic love, depicted in the round, presenting a nude torso, with her lower body partially covered by a diagonally draped mantle that still manages to reveal her buttocks and the upper edge of her pubic area. She stands with her curvaceous right hip swayed outward and her right knee elegantly bent as her weight is shifting to the left leg in a contrapposto pose, the voluminous folds of drapery gracefully cascading over and between her long legs. Notice also how her left hand is placed over her drapery, perhaps holding it as she walks. The sculptor of this piece delineated the beautiful goddess of romantic love with the utmost sensitivity and skill. Size: 9.5" H (24.1 cm); 12.5" H (31.8 cm) on included custom stand.
  
  This type of sensuous pose had been favored by earlier Hellenistic sculptors, i.e. Alexandros of Antioch's "Venus de Milo" (130 to 100 BCE) thought to be inspired by Praxiteles' entirely nude the "Aphrodite of Knidos" (ca. 360 to 330 BCE). Indeed, nude or partially nude statues of Venus/Aphrodite made quite a statement in their day (as well as beyond), because they were among the first sculptures to portray a goddess in the nude, a practice that previously had only been reserved for males. Women had been depicted in the nude on earlier Greek pottery paintings; however, those women were typically slave girls or courtesans rather than deities. As an image of a sensual Venus, this example would have been regarded as quite erotic during antiquity. Speaking of the Aphrodite of Knidos for example, Pliny observed that some men were "overcome with love for the statue." Venus/Aphrodite has inspired countless seductive sculptural masterworks throughout art history, among the most famous, Attic sculptor Praxiteles's "Aphrodite of Knidos" (ca. 360 to 330 BCE), "Lely's Venus" (ca. 100 to 199 CE), a Roman copy of a Greek original which is now lost) named for the painter Sir Peter Lily, and Alexandros of Antioch's "Venus de Milo" ( 130 to 100 BCE).
  
  Another Roman alabaster Venus sold for $11,875 at Christie's New York (June 9, 2011 - Lot 179) - https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot/a-roman-alabaster-venus-circa-2nd-century-5443362-details.aspx
  
  Provenance: ex-Christie’s, New York, December 2005, lot 314; ex-property of a lady, acquired prior to 1980
  
  All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
  
  A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
  
  We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
  
  #133837

  Condition

  Losses to head, arms, lower hemline, and a few high-pointed areas as shown. Note, however, her surviving left hand holding the draperies of her garment. Repaired fissure below breast line. Expected surface wear and abraded areas commensurate with age.
• Shipping Info

  • All shipping is handled in-house for your convenience. Your invoice from Artemis Gallery will include shipping calculation instructions. If in doubt, please inquire BEFORE bidding for estimated shipping costs for individual items.

• Buyer's Premium
  • 26.50 %