Roman Marble Sarcophagus Section - Winged Erote

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Antiquities from Egypt, Greece, Italy, Asia

By Artemis Gallery

Oct 25, 2018

Set Reminder 2018-10-25 11:00:00 2018-10-25 11:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Antiquities from Egypt, Greece, Italy, Asia https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/antiquities-from-egypt-greece-italy-asia-3538
Featuring Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, plus Asian art from Central and Far East. If you love the classics, this is the sale for you. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com

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• Lot Description
  Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. Finely carved in low to high relief - a large section of a marble sarcophagus - the curved interior edge suggesting it was located at the corner of a sarcophagus - depicting a winged cherub, perhaps Cupid (Eros), with finely delineated feathery wings, facing the flaming torch to his right. In addition to possessing an impressive 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, full lips, and that fleshy nose - framed by a wavy coiffure with curly locks. To the left is an elegantly detailed entablature with repeated curvilinear motifs below demarcated concave and convex bands. Size: 14.875" W x 8.375" H (37.8 cm x 21.3 cm); 13.75" H (34.9 cm) on included custom stand.
  
  Cupid or Eros was the mischievous yet endearing god of love, a minion, constant companion, and according to some classical writers, a son of the goddess Venus/Aphrodite. In the Roman period, Cupid had become a child, whereas to the earlier Greeks, Eros was a muscular youth. In time, ancient poets and artists multiplied Eros into a group of Erotes - winged gods of love or Roman Cupides. Hesiod describes a pair - Eros (Love) and Himeros (Desire) - both present at the birth of Aphrodite. However, later writers added a third Erote named Pothos (Passion). Some depicted twin Erotes - Eros (Love) and Anteros (Love Reciprocated) - who were usually shown gracing the scales of love. Eventually, poets multiplied them to envision an even greater number of winged putti. Indeed, the Erotes were the creations of poetic invention without any distinct mythology of their own - as opposed to Cupid/Eros, the God of Love.
  
  Sarcophagi became more popular at the beginning of the 2nd century CE when burial grew more favorable than cremation. Carved from stone, in this case marble, the panels were adorned with high and low relief mythological scenes, and by the 2nd century, it was also common to include a portrait of the deceased in a heroic guise. A rare and beauteous piece from ancient Rome!
  
  Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection
  
  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.
  
  #136983

  Condition

  A section from a larger sarcophagus. Losses/abrasions/nicks to edges and high pointed areas as shown. There is a trace of pale green pigment at the upper left of the entablature.
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