A Roman Marble Figure of Eros, circa 1st Century B.C.
Estimate:
35,000
A Roman Marble Figure of Eros, circa 1st Century B.C.
A Roman Marble Figure of Eros, circa 1st Century B.C.
Estimate:
35,000
Lot sold:
37,800
GBP
A Roman Marble Figure of Eros
circa 1st Century B.C.
advancing with his right leg forward and bending over slightly, the left arm lowered, the right one held forward, his head turned to the right, his hair arranged in a central braid on the crown and falling in thick curls falling over the shoulders; no restorations.
Height 61 cm.
As shown.
Much of original polish preserved.
Nose missing.
Abrasions to front of top braid.
Scratches and minor chips overall, especially on belly and proper left front thigh.
Incrustation on proper right side of head in back.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot provided by Sotheby's. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colours and shades which are different to the lot's actual colour and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation because Sotheby's is not a professional conservator or restorer but rather the condition report is a statement of opinion genuinely held by Sotheby's. For that reason, Sotheby's condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot.
the Danish philosopher Claudius Wilkens (1844-1929), acquired at one of Jerichau's estate sales in Copenhagen in 1884 (no. 10, for 21 kroner)
Bruun Rasmussen, Copenhagen,
acquired at the above sale
Christie’s, London, October 29th, 2003, no. 34, illus.
A replica was found in Aphrodisias: J. van Voorhis, The sculptor’s workshop, Aphrodisias, vol. 10, 2018, p. 83, no. 29, pl. 39. A related statue is in Copenhagen: M. Moltesen, Catalogue Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek. Imperial Rome, vol. 2, 2002, p. 340f., no. 116 (http://arachne.uni-koeln.de/item/objekt/8509). The figure was probably playing with a ball or wheel, like cupids on Roman sarcophagi: B. Andreae, ed., Bildkatalog der Skulpturen des Vatikanischen Museums, vol. I.3, 1994, pl. 830.
For an inspired portrait of Jens Jerichau by his wife Elisabeth Jerichau Baumann
see https://www.europeana.eu/sv/item/2063604/DEN_280_013.
For a photograph of Professor Claudius Wilkens in his study, with the present figure displayed in the fireplace, see Christie's, op.cit.