Rare Grand Tour Italian Antique Bronze Sculpture “Crouching Venus” circa 1850

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About the Item

AFTER THE HELLENSITIC MODEL OF ANTIQUITY "Crouching Venus" Patinated bronze over original laminated stone base unsigned probably Italian, cast ca. 1850 Item # 309PHW22Q The statue portrays a graceful Venus caught in an unguarded moment at her bath, turning her head in a moment of surprise towards the one observing her. As she does so, she instinctively tries to shield her body with her hands in a moment of vulnerable humanity. Even in her state of unexpected discovery, her action of covering herself exudes a deliberate grace, a chasteness further accentuated by her intense and engaging eye contact with her onlookers. The figure, while born in mythology is tangible and rooted in reality. The features, the textured curls of her hair, and her contemplative pose all showcase Venus in a light that's both divine and profoundly human. The pensive and somewhat startled posture of Venus symbolizes the juxtaposition of the divine and the mortal realms. It offers a glimpse into the vulnerability even of a deity; Venus reaches her hand towards her heart, perhaps not just to hide her nakedness but also to protect her divine heart from an earthly betrayal. Widely admired since ancient times and serving as inspiration during the Renaissance, this particular representation of Venus is believed to be the design mentioned by Pliny the Elder when he wrote about the Temple of Jupiter Stator in the Portico of Octavia near the Roman forum. In his text, he credited the sculpture of a Crouching Venus to an otherwise unknown Hellenstic sculptor Daedalsas. While numerous versions and reproductions exist, academic consensus suggests that the original - the prototype of this depiction - might have been sculpted around the midpoint of the 3rd century B.C., possibly commissioned by Nicomedes I, the ruler of Bithynia. Judging by the number of examples that have been excavated in Italy and France, it was without a doubt an exceedingly popular model throughout the millenia. The present model is an exceedingly good example cast by an unknown sculptor during the 1850s that depicts the goddess with a refined yet full facial structure, highlighting the soft curvature of her abdomen. Careful attention has been shown to her fingers, toenails and especially to her hair. This is elegantly pinned up, the gentle curls cascading down her exposed back, each strand and lock intricately chiseled and chased with tiny hammered impressions from the relentless refinement imposed upon the model by the ciseleur. It is worth noting the extraordinary precision of the joiner in this model. Here the fabricator machined and utilized butterfly joints instead of a more simple roman pin to lock the upper and lower arm together; this was made in a perfect taper that extends through the arm and pulls both elements together with shocking precision. An unusually difficult maneuver to get right, the benefit of such a joint is that it has so much more surface area versus the roman pin - as a result, the arm joints have remained almost free of a seam despite the years and handling. The sculpture is finished in a complex dark patina that has a full range of hues from olive green, brown, black to the faintest hints of the underlying bronze. It is raised over the original stone base, this with thin cuts of the polished marble laminated over a core. An exciting example, the Crouching Venus finds her way into so much ancient art that her source image is an important echo that helps give root to the objects around it. The present example is above reproach in its execution and the presentation together with the brilliant ochre hue of the worn marble base creates a visually arresting contrast. Measurements: 19" H (total height including marble) x 14 1/4" H (bronze only) x 6" D x 12" W Condition Report: Losses to the corners of the marble along the top, minor chips and losses to the marble throughout; light handling wear to the patina including underlying scuffs that have become part of the patina over time; variation in the patina commensurate with age; carefully cleaned and waxed, a very fine presentation. About silla antiques & art Established in 2009, we have available in our 9000 square foot brick-and-mortar gallery an ever-changing selection of carefully curated and catalogued furniture, decorative arts, paintings, sculpture and estate jewelry. Our company has long specialized in sculpture circa 1860 through 1930 and as such the gallery always has a very large collection of exceptional European and American sculpture available on display. The gallery is located at 117 W Burd Street in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania and is open by appointment only. We welcome your visit and would love to meet with you at the shop. For clients located outside of the area, we are always available to discuss items by video conferencing or by phone.

Dimensions:
Height: 19 in (48.26 cm)Width: 12 in (30.48 cm)Depth: 6 in (15.24 cm)
Style:
Grand Tour (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Bronze,Marble
Place of Origin:
Italy
Period:
Mid-19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1850
Condition:
See condition notes in description text.
Seller Location:
Shippensburg, PA
Reference Number:
Seller: 309PHW22Q1stDibs: LU1059036863392

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