A Roman marble statue of Aphrodite
Lot 93
A Roman marble life-size draped torso
Sold for £48,450 (US$ 72,600) inc. premium

Lot Details
A Roman marble life-size draped torso
1st-2nd Century A.D.
Of the "Venus Genetrix" type, her diaphanous chiton laid in a rounded bundle on the right shoulder and forming a v-shaped from the left shoulder, the drapery clinging to her naked body, falling in folds below, a thin low-slung belt secured across her hips, her right leg bent slightly forward, at the back her drapery falls from her right shoulder, 46in. (117cm.) high, 16in. (41cm.) diam. across the hips, right shoulder and left breast damaged, holes in the sockets and at the back for attachment

Footnotes

  • Provenance:
    Acquired with the purchase of the owner's previous house

    Literature:
    On the original of the often-copied "Venus Genetrix" type, the thin chiton has slipped down from the left shoulder, so that the left shoulder and breast are bare. The so-called Venus was considered to be Caesar's ancestress. Copies of this type can be found in the Louvre in Paris, the Museo Nazionale in Naples, the Villa Borghese in Rome, the Uffizi in Florence and in the Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York. There are also five in the Museum in Ostia. For later statues such as our example, there were alterations to this original composition which show the drapery laid in a rounded bundle on the right shoulder and wearing the 'Roman' belt. For a close parallel of a sculpture from Ostia, cf. Margaret Bieber, Ancient Copies - Contributions to the History of Greek and Roman Art (New York 1977), pl.27, fig.151

Saleroom notices

  • This lot will require an export licence in order to leave the EC
Auction information

This sale is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future sales, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this sale, please contact customer services.

Buyers' Obligations

ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.

If you have any complaints or questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest customer services team.

Buyers' Premium and Charges

For all Sales categories excluding Wine, Coins & Medals and Motor Cars and Motorcycles:

Buyer's Premium Rates
25% on the first £50,000 of the Hammer Price
20% from £50,001 to £1,000,000 the Hammer Price
12% from £1,000,001 of the Hammer Price

VAT at the current rate of 20% will be added to the Buyer's Premium and charges excluding Artists Resale Right.

Payment Notices

Payment in advance: by cash, check with banker's card, credit card, bank draft or traveler's cheque.

Payment at collection: by credit or debit card.

Credit card charges: a surcharge of 2% is applicable when using Mastercard, Visa and overseas debit cards.

Shipping Notices

For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licenses please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.

Similar Items