Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 2nd Century CE. A carved marble pair of lower legs - perhaps belonging to a human but possibly belonging to Cupid - with the contiguous calves and feet standing upon a plinth, beside a tree trunk form with nicely delineated bark. This device (the inclusion of a tree stump or trunk) was traditionally used for larger marble sculptures to serve as a support for the figure. Although these legs do not appear to have come from a piece that was either monumental or life size, perhaps it was a maquette for a larger work. Notice the veristic modeling of the toes with delineated metatarsal phalangeal joints and nail beds. Though a section from a larger work, this piece represents the Classical penchant for depicting realistic human anatomy. Size: 7.375" W x 9.25" H (18.7 cm x 23.5 cm); 10.75" H (27.3 cm) on included custom stand.
It is also possible that this piece belonged to a sculpture created via the acrolith technique in which the sculptor focused his attention solely on the unclothed parts of the figure which were made from a more valuable material than the rest of the piece. The legendary Phidias's Zeus of Olympia and the Parthenon's Athena are quintessential examples of this.
Provenance: Private Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA collection; purchased June 1989 from New York antiquities dealer and Christie's verified age, condition and authenticity.
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#133833
Condition
A section from a larger statue with losses to the tips of a few toes, periphery of the plinth, upper ends of legs and tree trunk as shown. Normal surface wear with a few minor divots and areas of earthen encrustation. Current owner states that the piece has been cleaned.