A ROMAN MARBLE FIGURE OF APHRODITE WITH KETOS, CIRCA 2ND CENTURY A.D. | A Roman Marble Figure of Aphrodite with Ketos

standing with the weight on her left leg, and wearing a himation draped over the left shoulder and upper arm and around the legs, her left hand grasping her garment, her long hair falling over the shoulders, a diminutive sea monster (Ketos) next to her left leg; half of hair over nape of neck, both feet with adjoining drapery, greater part of Ketos, and plinth restored, other restorations removed.

private collection, circa 18th Century (based on restoration techniques)
Portuguese private collection, acquired in the 1950s

Restored in marble: base, feet, most of ketos, lower part of drapery up to above ankles, left hand above fingers, and part of left forearm with adjoining drapery folds; right arm and proper right knee formerly restored in marble; piece of restoration missing around side and back of proper right ankle; figure repaired across abdomen with small areas of restoration along breakline; hair falling below neck once entirely restored, only proper right half remaining; small chips and losses to body and drapery overall, almost of which are still filled with painted plaster, including over breasts; drapery folds recut in areas; surface re-polished.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Representations of Aphrodite with a Ketos are very rare. The only parallels seem to be: a group of the goddess with Eros standing on a Ketos in the Louvre (LIMC II, p. 79, no. 698, pl. 70), a relief figure of the seated goddess with a Ketos in her lap on the so-called Portland vase (LIMC VIII, p. 734, no. 33, pl. 498), and a relief figure of the goddess reclining on a Ketos from Ostia (LIMC VIII, p. 734, no. 43, pl. 500).