Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A petite marble torso of a female, likely a goddess such as the youthful Venus (Greek Aphrodite) - with bare perky breasts, neck, shoulders and upper arms finely delineated. Although a section from a larger work, what remains of the upper arms suggests that the left arm was raised while the right arm either rested by her side or across her lower body. Characteristically depicted as a sensual, youthful woman, Venus was perceived as the ideal of Roman beauty. Size: 2.875" H (7.3 cm); 4.25" H (10.8 cm) on included custom stand.

Venus' beauty inspired rivalry among the gods, all of whom wished to make her his wife. According to classical mythology, Jupiter (Zeus) determined that Venus (Aphrodite) would marry Vulcan (Hephaestus), the handicapped blacksmith god. Vulcan in turn created a magical girdle to guarantee her fidelity. Unfortunately for him, the Goddess of Love and Beauty proved unfaithful. Venus (Aphrodite) has inspired countless representations in visual culture, among the most famous, Attic sculptor Praxiteles's "Aphrodite of Knidos" (ca. 360 to 330 BCE) and Renaissance painter Sandro Botticelli's "Birth of Venus" (1484-86).

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#139839

A section from a larger sculpture. Perforation to neck suggests that the head was carved separately. Surface wear with earthen encrustations and mineral deposits.