Lot

55a

Large Marble Draped Torso of Goddess - Venus

In Exceptional Antiquities, Asian, Ethnographic

This auction is live! You need to be registered and approved to bid at this auction.
You have been outbid. For the best chance of winning, increase your maximum bid.
Your bid or registration is pending approval with the auctioneer. Please check your email account for more details.
Unfortunately, your registration has been declined by the auctioneer. You can contact the auctioneer on +1 7208907700 for more information.
You are the current highest bidder! To be sure to win, log in for the live auction broadcast on or increase your max bid.
Leave a bid now! Your registration has been successful.
Sorry, bidding has ended on this item. We have thousands of new lots everyday, start a new search.
Bidding on this auction has not started. Please register now so you are approved to bid when auction starts.
1/4
Large Marble Draped Torso of Goddess - Venus - Image 1 of 4
Large Marble Draped Torso of Goddess - Venus - Image 2 of 4
Large Marble Draped Torso of Goddess - Venus - Image 3 of 4
Large Marble Draped Torso of Goddess - Venus - Image 4 of 4
Large Marble Draped Torso of Goddess - Venus - Image 1 of 4
Large Marble Draped Torso of Goddess - Venus - Image 2 of 4
Large Marble Draped Torso of Goddess - Venus - Image 3 of 4
Large Marble Draped Torso of Goddess - Venus - Image 4 of 4
Interested in the price of this lot?
Subscribe to the price guide
Erie, Colorado
Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. An exceptional, finely carved marble figure of a goddess, most likely Venus (Greek Aphrodite) - the goddess of love, standing in contrapposto with her right leg lifted and advanced, suggesting forward movement as her weight shifts to her left leg, and draped in an elegant diaphemous chiton and himation, the fabric folds skillfully delineated and cascading over her body, though her left breast is revealed - in a manner similar to the famous Venus Genetrix of Rome's Julio Claudian dynasty. This idealistic representation displays the sculptor's inheritance of the Classical Greek tradition, demonstrating a continued Greek influence over Roman sculptors. Clearly, the technical skill of this sculptor was paramount. Indeed the artist who created this piece possessed the expertise required to turn stone to fabric and flesh! Size: 28" H (71.1 cm); 31" H (78.7 cm) on included custom stand.

The sculptor's ability to capture the goddess in contrapposto, implying a rhythmic sense of motion, as her weight is shifted onto her left leg and her right leg advances, conjures a quality of human vitality in this sculpture. Such calculated poses were inspired by the works of Polykleitos and became the model to which sculptors aspired in Graeco-Roman as well as later Western European art. Although no particular attributes of this figure are visible, the fine level of technique and artistry displayed in this piece suggests that it depicted a goddess - perhaps Venus (Aphrodite in the Greek pantheon), the goddess of romantic love, who magically rose from the sea on a giant scallop shell. The pose and revealed breast are most similar to the famous Venus Genetrix. This form of the goddess was honored specifically by the Julio-Claudian dynasty, whose members followed Julius Caesar's precedent of claiming Venus as their ancestor. A masterfully realized figure presenting a convincing naturalistic pose implying lifelike movement as well as exceptional modeling of her body and garment.

See the Venus Genetrix at the J. Paul Getty Museum (http://www.getty.edu/art/collection/objects/29502/unknown-maker-statue-of-venus-genetrix-roman-2nd-century-ad/?dz=#2c9c2014b59e5a18b91cb7f9b051d05fc2302b0a). According to the curatorial team at the Getty, "The depiction of the goddess in this pose and attire, known as the Venus Genetrix type, is known in numerous Roman replicas. The multiple versions of this statue have led scholars to conclude that it reproduces a now-lost Greek statue that must have been very famous in antiquity. The style of the clinging, almost wet-looking garment dates the original Greek statue to the years around 410 B.C."

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection, acquired at La Reine Margot, Paris, France in the 2000s; ex-private old French collection, acquired in the 1970s

Condition: A section from a larger statue with losses as shown. Expected surface wear with abrasions and losses to high-pointed areas. Mineral deposits across the surface. Nice size and strong representation.

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#142459
Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. An exceptional, finely carved marble figure of a goddess, most likely Venus (Greek Aphrodite) - the goddess of love, standing in contrapposto with her right leg lifted and advanced, suggesting forward movement as her weight shifts to her left leg, and draped in an elegant diaphemous chiton and himation, the fabric folds skillfully delineated and cascading over her body, though her left breast is revealed - in a manner similar to the famous Venus Genetrix of Rome's Julio Claudian dynasty. This idealistic representation displays the sculptor's inheritance of the Classical Greek tradition, demonstrating a continued Greek influence over Roman sculptors. Clearly, the technical skill of this sculptor was paramount. Indeed the artist who created this piece possessed the expertise required to turn stone to fabric and flesh! Size: 28" H (71.1 cm); 31" H (78.7 cm) on included custom stand.

The sculptor's ability to capture the goddess in contrapposto, implying a rhythmic sense of motion, as her weight is shifted onto her left leg and her right leg advances, conjures a quality of human vitality in this sculpture. Such calculated poses were inspired by the works of Polykleitos and became the model to which sculptors aspired in Graeco-Roman as well as later Western European art. Although no particular attributes of this figure are visible, the fine level of technique and artistry displayed in this piece suggests that it depicted a goddess - perhaps Venus (Aphrodite in the Greek pantheon), the goddess of romantic love, who magically rose from the sea on a giant scallop shell. The pose and revealed breast are most similar to the famous Venus Genetrix. This form of the goddess was honored specifically by the Julio-Claudian dynasty, whose members followed Julius Caesar's precedent of claiming Venus as their ancestor. A masterfully realized figure presenting a convincing naturalistic pose implying lifelike movement as well as exceptional modeling of her body and garment.

See the Venus Genetrix at the J. Paul Getty Museum (http://www.getty.edu/art/collection/objects/29502/unknown-maker-statue-of-venus-genetrix-roman-2nd-century-ad/?dz=#2c9c2014b59e5a18b91cb7f9b051d05fc2302b0a). According to the curatorial team at the Getty, "The depiction of the goddess in this pose and attire, known as the Venus Genetrix type, is known in numerous Roman replicas. The multiple versions of this statue have led scholars to conclude that it reproduces a now-lost Greek statue that must have been very famous in antiquity. The style of the clinging, almost wet-looking garment dates the original Greek statue to the years around 410 B.C."

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection, acquired at La Reine Margot, Paris, France in the 2000s; ex-private old French collection, acquired in the 1970s

Condition: A section from a larger statue with losses as shown. Expected surface wear with abrasions and losses to high-pointed areas. Mineral deposits across the surface. Nice size and strong representation.

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#142459

Exceptional Antiquities, Asian, Ethnographic

Sale Date(s)
Venue Address
P.O. BOX 714
Erie
Colorado
80516
United States

For Artemis Gallery delivery information please telephone +1 7208907700.

Important Information

An important one-day auction featuring museum-worthy examples of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, Far East / Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Russian, Fossils, Ancient Jewelry, Fine Art, so much more! All items offered for sale have been legally acquired, are legal to sell and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. All shipping is handled in-house for your convenience.

Terms & Conditions

Please read the following "Terms of Sale" carefully. Your submission of bids in this auction constitutes your acceptance of these "Terms of Sale." 1. All items in this auction have been legally acquired, are legal to sell, and guaranteed to be as described or your money back. 2. By bidding in this auction, the bidder personally guarantees payment. The auctioneer has final discretion in all matters. In case of dispute, the lot(s) in question may be resold. Lots will be sold in their numerical sequence unless the auctioneer directs otherwise. 3. HIGH and LOW ESTIMATES are provided for each lot for reference only. The actual selling / hammer price may be higher or lower based on bidder demand. 4. No lots will be released / shipped until payment has been made in full. Payment (in U.S. funds) may be made via personal check or money order, via credit card (MasterCard, Visa, Discover), PayPal or Bank Wire Transfer. For PayPal payments please use "artemisgallery@gmail.com" email address for processing payments. 5. BUYER'S PREMIUM: A 24.5% Buyer's Premium will be added to the final price of each lot purchased through Artemis Gallery and will be paid by all bidders without exception. 6. CO SALES TAX: Appropriate Colorado Sales Tax will be added to all invoices, unless a valid CO seller's permit is on file with Artemis Gallery/Artemis Gallery Live prior to any bidding in the auction. Items shipped outside of CO (United States or international) are also sales tax exempt. 7. RETURN POLICY: In the event of an authenticity dispute, written notification of the dispute must be provided to Artemis Gallery within two business days from receipt of the item as shown by FedEx, UPS, or USPS tracking data. After Artemis Gallery is notified of the dispute, a written letter from a recognized expert in the field pertaining to the item in dispute must then be presented. If Artemis Gallery concludes that the assessment of the piece is accurate, a full refund, including item price, buyer's premium (if applicable), and shipping costs will be provided. Artemis Gallery will either provide a pre-paid return shipping label or will reimburse the return shipping charge. Artemis Gallery will only remit refund after the item has been returned. In the event of an error in item description, condition report, provenance, or dimensions, written notification of the error must be given within two business days from receipt of the item as shown by FedEx, UPS, or USPS tracking data. A full refund, including item price, buyer's premium (if applicable), and shipping costs will be provided. Artemis Gallery will either provide a pre-paid return shipping label or will reimburse the return shipping charge. Artemis Gallery will only remit refund after the item has been returned. If a return is requested for any reason other than the above, written notification with reason for return must be given within 15 days from receipt of the item as shown by FedEx, UPS, or USPS tracking data for Artemis Gallery to issue a refund to the original payment method. If notification is given after 15 days, the item may be returned for credit toward a future purchase or may be consigned for sale through Artemis Gallery. The item must be returned to Artemis Gallery at the buyer's expense and a refund or credit of the item price and buyer's premium (if applicable) will be provided after the item is returned. Original shipping charges will not be refunded. All items to be returned must be adequately insured and must be received by Artemis Gallery in the same condition as when shipped. In no event may any item be returned after 90 days from the date of delivery. 8. SHIPPING: As a convenience to our buyers, shipping is handled in-house. All buyers will receive an invoice detailing their purchases, sales tax (if applicable), buyer's premium, and shipping/insurance charges. Items will be shipped only upon receipt of payment in full and will be insured for their full value. **For shipments outside of the USA, customs and duties may apply upon entry into said country; this fee, if any, is the buyer's responsibility. Also, please be aware that Artemis Gallery will NOT falsify customs value on any international shipments - what you pay is what we declare, no exceptions. There are a small number of international countries we cannot ship to. If you have questions about this, please inquire BEFORE bidding** 9. REQUEST TO DELAY SHIPPING FOR LOTS WON: We are happy to delay shipping on all paid lots for up to 30 days with no storage fees. After 30 days, storage fees will accrue based on a 2% of invoice total. 10. In the event a successful bidder fails to make payment when due, Artemis Gallery reserves the right to re-sell the merchandise and bidder agrees to pay for the reasonable cost of such a sale and to pay any difference between the resale price and the previously successful bid, together with any incidental costs of sale and disbursements. 11. If the auction invoice is not paid for in full when due per invoice terms, including any applicable credit card processing fees, the unpaid balance will bear interest at the highest rate permitted by law until paid in full. If the matter is referred to an attorney for collection, bidder agrees to pay all reasonable attorney fees, court costs and other collection cost incurred by Artemis Gallery to collect past due invoices and that the services of process by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, shall be sufficient to confer "in personam" jurisdiction over bidder. 12. Buyer agrees that any claim of controversy arising out of, or relating to the formation, interpretation of performance of these terms and underlying transactions or the breach thereof, is subject to arbitration or judicial proceedings and shall take place within the County of Boulder, CO subject to the laws of the State of Colorado. 13. QUESTIONS? Feel free to email us at info@artemisgallery.com with questions prior to bidding or feel free to call us at 720-890-7700. Please be sure to ask all questions at least 30 minutes prior to auction start time, as we will not be able to take calls or answer emails sent to us during the auction.

See Full Terms And Conditions