14A024
LARGE STATUE OF VENUS
Roman Asia Minor, circa 3rd century A.D.
Terracotta, mould-made, Height: 55.4 cm.

This terracotta figure depicts the goddess at her toilette. She stands facing on a square base, flanked by two pilasters, each surmounted by a winged Cupid carrying a basket of fruit, and each decorated on the front with a second winged Cupid holding grapes in his right hand and other fruits in the fold of his garment. The goddess' arms are raised, her right hand holding a comb and her left hand a mirror. Her hair is dressed in the melon coiffure and partially covered by a pleated veil. She wears very long pendant earrings, two bracelets on each arm, a broad necklace with many pendants, and a mantle with a wide border, draped over her left shoulder and around her hips, leaving her breasts and belly exposed. Traces of the original polychromy are preserved throughout.

Published: E. Berger, ed., Antike Kunst-werke aus der Sammlung Ludwig II. Terrakotten und Bronzen (1982), 194ff., Addenda 4.2.

A large and unusual depiction of this popular goddess.

Catalogue XIV

Coins | Greek | Judaean | Roman | Byzantine | Text |

Antiquities | Early Empires | Egyptian | Greek | Roman | Crusades | Text |

| Home | Coins | Antiquities | Catalogue | About Antiqua | Contact |

Copyright ©2006 Antiqua, Inc.