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_900x900.jpg "Greek Terracotta Figure of Eros, the God of Love")
_200x200.jpg "Greek Terracotta Figure of Eros, the God of Love")
.jpg "Greek Terracotta Figure of Eros, the God of Love")
LOT 0065
Greek Terracotta Figure of Eros, the God of Love
HELLENISTIC, 3RD-1ST CENTURY B.C.
12 1/4 in. (808 grams total, 31 cm including stand).
Modelled nude in a dynamic pose with his wings spread open, the left leg slightly advanced, and the right arm extended with open palm, a diadem or a fillet on his head; circular socket between the wings; accompanied by a display stand.
ProvenanceLouis-Gabriel Bellon (1819-1899) collection, France.
European private collection, 2009.
Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no. 13014-246790.
Cf. Mollard-Besques, S., Catalogue Raisonné des Figurines et Reliefs en Terre-Cuite Grecs et Romains. II: Myrina. 2 Bände Paris, 1963, pls.39-48, for similar terracotta flying erotes; cf. flying Eros with a mirror, in the Louvre Museum, accession no. Myr 95; a winged Eros with a diadem similar to our statuette, from Myrina, in Louvre, accession number Myr67; handmade statuette of winged dancing Eros with the same diadem in Mentesidou, E., The Terracotta figurines of Amisos, Thessaloniki, 2011, fig.60 (dancing winged Eros with similar diadem); for a general analysis of the Eros figure and character see Mattei, M. (ed.), La Favola di Amore e Psyche, Roma, 2012.
FootnotesIn classical times, Eros was usually depicted as a handsome adolescent, with only his wings distinguishing him from other kaloi and young athletes. Sometimes he was depicted younger and with less masculine features: Lysippos, in the famous statue of Eros of Thespiae, depicted him as a youth.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0065
Greek Terracotta Figure of Eros, the God of Love
Estimate £8,000 - 10,000€9,280 - 11,600 (for guidance only)$10,800 - 13,500 (for guidance only)
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Greek Terracotta Oil Lamp with Annulets
Hellenistic, 3rd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Low profile and a long nozzle, the body with annulets on the shoulder and two projecting lugs on each side of the nozzle. 49.3 grams, 81 mm
From an important collection of lamps, Germany, 1970s. -
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Parthian Carnelian Gemstone of a Goat-Headed Rhyton in Gold Ring
4th century B.C.-220 A.D.Estimate: £2,000 - 3,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,000
Achaemenid or Parthian oval intaglio engraved with a style standing at the threshold between natural and stiff rigid linear style, depicting a goat-headed rhyton, the vessel terminating in the forepart of a wild goat with the front leg tucked under the body, the head rendered in profile with elegantly arched horns, pronounced muzzle, and carefully incised eye; the neck of the conical rhyton decorated with diagonal and cross-hatched incisions suggesting ribbing or chased metalwork; set in a modern gold ring with a small triangular area at the top left of the stone filled in with gold; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 8.51 grams, 24.02 mm overall, 21.18 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15)
Acquired on the European art market. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13356-257945.
The subject, a rhyton terminating in an animal protome, belongs to a well-established tradition in Eastern Greek and Achaemenid art of the late Archaic and Classical periods, in which zoomorphic libation vessels were used in ritual and ceremonial contexts. Goat-headed rhyta, though less commonly preserved in glyptic media, are attested in silver and ceramic examples, notably from Asia Minor and Thrace. The stylised horned animal, here likely a wild goat or ibex, is associated with vitality and mountain symbolism, while the rhyton itself signals elite drinking culture and votive use. The use of carnelian is typical of high-quality glyptic production in the 6th to 4th century BC, valued for its durability and ability to take a fine polish. The style and iconography suggest an Eastern Mediterranean origin, most probably Ionian or Anatolian. -
Etruscan Painted Terracotta Dish
Circa 7th-4th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
Low dish with everted rim and painted decoration on the inner face. 156 grams, 13.8 cm
From the collection of a Cambridge, UK, gentleman, by direct descent from his father, who acquired the items in London in circa 1960.
