Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 2nd century CE. A lovely leaded bronze statuette of the goddess Aphrodite (Roman Venus), the Greek goddess of beauty, love, pleasure, and procreation, standing in the classical pose known as Venus Anadyomene, that translates to “one emerging from the sea” alluding to her mythical birth. The beautiful goddess is standing nude, her hourglass figure is highlighted by a slight contrapposto pose with her weight on her left leg, her right leg bent at the knee, and the left arm held upwards, perhaps gesturing. Her wavy hair atop her head is arranged in a bow knot and her eyes are recessed sockets which once held inlaid shell or stone pupils. Size: 1.75″ W x 4.8″ H (4.4 cm x 12.2 cm); 6″ H (15.2 cm) on included custom stand.
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.”
Condition: Missing right arm as shown and part of the left hand / fingers. Surface is cleaned with green patina. Surface pitting, chips, and abrasions. Nice facial and hair details.
Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Mr. N.C. collection, acquired prior to 2012 in Germany
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