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an image of a sculpture of a woman ' s head on top of a marble blockmarble head of a woman on a black standan image of a large rock on a black standan image of a large rock sitting on top of a black standmarble head of a child on a black stand
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16 - HIGH-RELIEF SCULPTURE WITH THE HEAD OF EROS White marble.
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Estimate €3,000 - €5,000
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Description
HIGH-RELIEF SCULPTURE WITH THE HEAD OF EROS White marble. Scattered chips on the nose and several strands of hair; the lower part of the face, including part of the mouth and the chin, is missing. Slight surface abrasions. The marble retains a light burial patina with calcareous concretions. H. 27 cm Roman art, Antonine period, second half of the 2nd century AD, based on a Hellenistic Greek prototype. Provenance In a French private collection since the 1960s, formerly in the collection of a fashion designer. The childlike head of Eros stands out in high relief from the surface of the slab, depicted in profile. At the back, the remains of the wings are visible, their feathers sketched only roughly. The top of the skull is adorned with short locks of hair arranged in crescents. The hair is rendered in tight, deeply chiselled curls, which are more abundant above and around the ears. The corkscrew-like locks are brought to life by the use of a trepan, producing a vibrant chiaroscuro effect characteristic of Antonine sculpture. The hairstyle is further distinguished by a plait drawn back from the centre parting and gathered into a small bun at the nape of the neck, a recurring detail in depictions of Eros based on Hellenistic models. A Roman marble high relief depicting the head of Eros. Second half of the 2nd century AD. Based on a Hellenistic prototype. The childlike head of Eros stands out in high relief from the surface of the slab, shown in profile. At the back, the remains of the wings can be made out, their feathers indicated only briefly. The crown of the head is adorned with short locks arranged in crescents. The hair is rendered in tight curls, deeply drilled, fuller above and around the ears. The corkscrew locks are brought to life by the use of the drill, producing a vibrant chiaroscuro effect characteristic of Antonine sculpture. The hairstyle is further distinguished by a plait drawn back from the central parting and gathered into a small chignon at the nape of the neck, a recurring detail in depictions of Eros derived from Hellenistic models.
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About the sale FROM CAESAR TO CAESAR
Auction location
Auction time 07/08/2026 at 3:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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