Canosan Terracotta Figure Aphrodite Rising From Sea

Magna Graecia, Apulia, Canosan Hellenistic Period, ca. 3rd century BCE. A stunning mold-made pottery figure of Aphrodite (Roman Venus), the Greek goddess of beauty, love, pleasure, and procreation, standing in the Classical pose known as Venus Anadyomene, in which she is shown nude and ringing her hair as she rises from the sea. The deity's supple hourglass figure is highlighted by a slight contrapposto, her hips held gently askew while her arms bend at the elbows to hold trestles of her hair out before her. She gazes to her left, coyly evading the eye contact of her viewer and positioning herself, the goddess of pleasure, as an object of her viewer's delight. The apotheosis of celestial beauty; her graceful visage displays almond-shaped eyes, a naturalistic nose, and a petite mouth, all flanked by a pair of spherical ear adornments. Her coiffure or headdress features an elegant loop, as 2 locks of hair cascade down her elongated neck onto her sloped shoulders. Size: 3.375" W x 8.25" H (8.6 cm x 21 cm); 8.5" H (21.6 cm) on included custom stand.

The Venus Anadyomene is one of the most iconic representations of Aphrodite and is said to be based on a famous painting of the goddess by Apelles that was described in Pliny's "Natural History." It is believed to portray the birth of the classical beauty. According to Hesiod's "Theogony," Aphrodite was born when Cronus severed Uranus' genitals and threw them into the sea. When his genitals met the sea, Hesiod states, "a white foam spread around them from the immortal flesh, and in it there grew a maiden. First she drew near holy Cythera, and from there, afterwards, she came to sea-girt Cyprus, and came forth an awful and lovely goddess, and grass grew up about her beneath her shapely feet." This myth is perhaps most famously depicted in the Italian Renaissance artist Sandro Botticelli's "Birth of Venus" (ca. 1484 to 1486 CE).

This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the worldÂ’s largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.

Provenance: private Beverly Hills, California USA collection acquired 1990 thereby descent to current owner; ex-Charles Ede

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#164618
Condition Report: Arms and head reattached with restoration over break lines. Possible areas of restoration on face, shoulder, back of head, hair strands, and feet. Expected nicks and abrasions throughout, commensurate with age. Otherwise, very nice with lovely earthen deposits.