Items Similar to Goddess Circe Italian Neoclassical Sculpture Carved Wood Ebony and Gold 1800s
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 17
UnknownGoddess Circe Italian Neoclassical Sculpture Carved Wood Ebony and Gold 1800s
About the Item
Circe 19th-century Italian Wooden Sculpture, the proposed neoclassical figure is a fascinating and rare depiction of the Goddess Circe, made in the early 1800s. The pine wood carving and ebonizing technique with golden details add value and refinement to this work. Circe, in Greek mythology, is known for her power of transformation and enchantment, and her depiction in a standing position, arms spread wide, palms facing downward, in a welcoming attitude, reflects the duality of his figure, capable of both love and deception.
The gold drapery on the divinity's hips and other details such as the gold shoes and the central bow that knots the drape frontally on the hips demonstrate the artist's ability to play with textures and finishes, creating an elegant and sophisticated contrast. The attention to detail in the face and the use of glass eyes testify to excellent craftsmanship, typical of Italian neoclassical sculpture.
The original detailed hairstyle with cropped hair with a hole at the top that suggests there was feathering inserted, the ears dangling at the earlobes, the perfect anatomy of the goddess' muscular body, are all ornaments that denote the artist's desire to embellish the figure of the deity. Female sculpture nineteenth-century is in good conservative condition, the circular base is probably from a later period and comes from a private collection. This work, typical of the Italian school of the first quarter of the 19th century, represents not only a recent interpretation of classical themes, but also high quality workmanship that deserves to be valued and preserved.
The iconographic setting of the Goddess Circe has, over the centuries, been represented in various artistic forms, from classical antiquity to the modern period; Sir Edgar Bertram Mackennal's bronze sculpture of 1893 is an excellent example of how Circe has been reinterpreted in modern art, while retaining traditional iconographic elements. Mackennal, known for his elegant and symbolist sculptures, succeeds in capturing the essence of the figure of Circe, emphasizing both her beauty and her enchanting power.
In general, the depiction of Circe has often included elements such as the chalice, a symbol of her magical potions, and animals such as pigs, as a reminder of her transformations. These iconographic motifs refer to mythological tales, such as those found in Homer's Odyssey, in which Circe plays a crucial role. Mackennal's sculpture, while innovative in its approach, is part of a long tradition of depictions that have attempted to communicate Circe's dual appearance: the seductive and the threatening.
We ship from Italy, Every antique must have an export license from the Italian Ministry of Culture, called Bella Arti, to apply for and obtain it you must consider an additional 2-3 weeks of processing time, to be added to the shipping time.
- Dimensions:Height: 27.96 in (71 cm)Width: 14.57 in (37 cm)Depth: 9.85 in (25 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:Milano, IT
- Reference Number:Seller: a13961stDibs: LU2861216239092
About the Seller
New to 1stDibs
Joined in the past six months.
No Reviews Yet
Vetted Professional Seller
Every seller passes strict standards for authenticity and reliability
1stDibs seller since 2025
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Milano, Italy
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllFemale Life-size Mannequin Italian Articulated Sculpture In Beech Mid 1800s
Located in Milano, IT
Female Painter's Manikin Mid-1800s jointed and articulated, life-size Italian sculpture, 167 cm tall 66 Inches, made of beech wood with traces of lacquer preparation. This extraordi...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian School Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Pair of Italian Baroque Angels 17th Century Sculptured Lacquered and Gilded Figures
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of Angels, Tuscan Sculptures with Cornucopias from the 1600s hand-carved from stone pine wood, lacquered and gilded from Central Italy, from a private villa in Siena; they are...
Category
Late 17th Century Baroque Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Girl in White Marble Italian 1920's Art Deco Sculpture by Prendoni Attilio
Located in Milano, IT
Prendoni Attilio Sculpture of Girl Child in Carrara Marble Biaco signed on the molded plinth, depicts a young girl with her hair gathered by a bow, a maiden with a shy attitude as in...
Category
Early 20th Century Art Deco Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Art Deco Tragic Mask in Silver-plated Ceramic by Guido Cacciapuoti 1930s
Located in Milano, IT
Cacciapuoti Tragic Mask, Art Dèco figurative sculpture by Neapolitan artist Guido Cacciapuoti (Naples 1892- Milan 1953) depicting a tragic mask, made of ceramic, hand-molded and sil...
Category
1930s Art Deco Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Medardo Rosso Gavroche or Mischievous Impressionist Bust in Bronze 20th Century
By Medardo Rosso
Located in Milano, IT
Medardo Rosso The Mischief or Gavroche Impressionist sculpture depicting a laughing little boy, the figure half-length of the laughing boy in the cap and the face turned to the lef...
Category
Early 20th Century Impressionist Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Pair Of Terracotta Children Italian Romantic Busts Late 1800s
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of Fragments Of Late 1800s Romantic Sculptures, Pair of Terracotta Busts of Children probably part of a fountain, of a larger sculptural group. These are busts of a child with ...
Category
Late 19th Century Romantic Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
You May Also Like
Dies Irae - Boxwood Sculpture
Located in Milano, IT
Magnificent boxwood sculpture from the late 18th century, an extraordinary allegory of human transience. The work, 60 cm high, features a refined composition of two carved skeletons ...
Category
18th Century and Earlier Italian School Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Crucifixion with St. Francis and St. Anthony, Bottega del Brustolon
By Andrea Brustolon
Located in Milano, IT
Magnificent boxwood sculpture made in the famous workshop of Brustolon, a master carver active in the Veneto region between the 17th and 18th centuries. This masterpiece depicts the ...
Category
17th Century Italian School Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
LONDON GENTLEMAN
Located in Milano, IT
This fascinating wooden sculpture, 87 cm high, is a work attributed to the celebrated 19th-century Venetian cabinetmaker Francesco Toso, known for his extraordinary woodworking skill...
Category
19th Century Italian School Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
$18,631
18th Century Italian Carved Neoclassical Semi Nude Female Busts
Located in Beachwood, OH
18th Century Italian Carved Neoclassical Semi Nude Female Busts
Wood affixed to wood plinths
"Leone Della Torra / Italy Country of Origin" labels on b...
Category
18th Century Italian School Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
19th Century Madonna Adoring the Infant Jesus Italian School Ceramic White Blue
Located in Sanremo, IT
Cantagalli-manufactured ceramics measuring 125 x 67 cm depicting a sweet Madonna adoring the Child Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
At the beginning of the 19th century, Ulisse Cantagalli...
Category
1830s Italian School Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
$12,227 Sale Price
30% Off
Pio VI blessing on horseback during the Cavalcata for the Possession
Located in Roma, RM
Volpato or Cialli manufacture, molded by Lorenzo Weber, Pio VI blessing on horseback during the Cavalcata for the Possession
English white terracotta of 45 x 29 x 17 cm, datable to...
Category
Mid-18th Century Italian School Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
