The Berlin Adorante, a patinated bronze figure after the antique French, 19th century

Duc de Luynes
Palais Galliéra, Paris 'Collection de Monsieur et Madame G ... et apartenant à divers amateurs', 12 June 1973, lot 83

General surface abrasions throughout with some rubbing to patina. Cast in parts (shoulders, waist and neck), some areas have holes where the support rods would have been with some still existing. There are remnants of the original decoration (i.e. armbands) in the joined areas. Otherwise there are minor casting flaws and repairs, including the base. Good quality casting and finish.
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The original of the so-called "Berlin Adorante," which is 140 cm. in height, is one of the most celebrated bronze statues of the ancient world. Owned at one time by King Charles I in London, it was acquired in 1747 by Frederick II of Prussia for his Palace of Sanssouci in Potsdam, and dubbed the "Betender Knabe." It is now in the Alte Museum, Antikensammlung, Berlin, inv. No. Sk 2 (http://arachne.uni-koeln.de/item/objekt/2179).

Several scholars see in it an original Greek creation of the early Hellenistic period, ca. 300 B.C., not a Roman copy.

When the statue was found on the island of Rhodes in 1503 it was missing both arms, two toes on each foot, as well as minor areas in the right thigh and shoulder, all of which were later restored. Its original function and meaning in antiquity are not known.

The garment draped across the hips in the present lot is unusual in a bronze reproduction and represents a modern addition, which was most likely added for decency purposes. It was not part of the ancient work.

The figure was among the favorite ancient statues of Johann Joachim Winckelmann, the founder of Classical Art History, who visited Potsdam in 1752.