Romano-British Bronze Eros Statuette

Two-part model comprising: galloping horse with fore-legs extended, detailed mane; rider wearing a crested helmet, cloak billowing to the rear, knee-length tunic with gathered waist, legs curved to the rear; mounted on a custom-made stand. 189 grams total, 92 mm including stand



Found UK. From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

Modelled with naturalistic features, gazing left, sculpted pupils and strong lids; luxuriant beard and moustache framing the face; strong forehead with tightly formed curls emerging from beneath the lion's skin hood; the hood with clear eye detailing and the mane with regularly arranged tufts; original iron pin to the front of the muzzle; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 8 kg total, 28.5 cm including stand



Private Germany collection, 1981. with Gorny and Mosch, 19 June 2013, no.3. Ex A.S.collection, Florida, USA. 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.12085-214457.

The head is a Roman copy of a Hellenistic original, of ‘Palazzo Pitti/Wilton House’ type depicting Hercules wearing the skin of the Nemean lion with the paws of the lion crossed upon the breast, his left arm holding the club and the right hand holding the golden apples of Hesperides. The representation of a slight movement of the head also shows elements of the Lysippean Antalya-Borghese type (example from the Archaeological Museum of Naples with the head covered by the Nemean lion skin).

Globular in form with low basal disc, central socket. 36.7 grams, 32 mm



Acquired in the 1970s. Property of a London lady, part of her family's collection.