Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to early 3rd century CE. An exquisite statuette cast from 70% to 75% silver depicting Venus (Greek Aphrodite), the goddess of love, romance, and passion. Venus stands with her left leg extended and wears a luxurious chiton that is draped across her left shoulder. Her right hand is held atop her thigh as her left hand grasps her breast to keep her flowing garment from falling. Her classic visage is defined by sensitive almond-shaped eyes under heavy brows, a petite nose above full lips, rounded cheeks, and a scallop-adorned fillet, all beneath a wavy, centrally parted coiffure which culminates in a bun on the verso. The importance of this piece stems from its large size - similar examples tend to be smaller - and how it is made from silver rather than bronze or another, less opulent material. An exceedingly rare and exemplary statuette of Venus! Size: 1.25" W x 4.7" H (3.2 cm x 11.9 cm); 7.25" H (18.4 cm) on included custom stand; silver quality: 70% to 75%

Venus (Aphrodite in the Greek pantheon) has inspired countless depictions throughout the history of artistic creation. Among the most famous are Greek Attic sculptor Praxiteles' "Aphrodite of Knidos" (ca. 360 to 330 BCE), the equally famous "Lely's Venus" (ca. 100 to 199 CE), Alexandros of Antioch's "Venus de Milo" (ca. 130 to 100 BCE), the Renaissance artist Sandro Botticelli's masterful painting "Birth of Venus" (1484 to 1486 CE), and Baroque artist Peter Paul Rubens' equally masterful painting "Judgement of Paris" (ca. 1636).

Cf. a similar example with less clothing at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 1995.539.14

Cf. a similar example with gilded details at The J. Paul Getty Museum, object number 76.AM.4

This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world's largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010; ex-Artemis Gallery, Colorado, USA; ex-private Davis collection, Houston, Texas, USA

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Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#148390

Modern restoration to head and small area of pleated gown. Losses to areas of base as shown, some stable hairline fissures, softening to some finer details, with some areas of pitting, and some areas of stabilization on back of legs and front of right leg. Light earthen deposits and wonderful green, gold, and russet patina throughout. Figure cannot be removed from display stand for accurate weighing.