Roman Marble Eros

Period: Roman, ca. 2nd half of 2nd century A.D.
Dimension: 50.8 cm

Description: This superb sculpture is a Roman copy of a famous fourth century Greek statue type known as Eros of Centocelle. He stands with his weight on his left leg, and the remains of his bow and quiver his right side, his hair falling in long wavy locks onto the shoulders and his chest. There are traces of red paint on his hair locks. In turn, there are two small rectangular mortises on the back for the attachment of wings.

Condition: The ancient polished surface of this figure is in an excellent state of preservation. The preserved portion of the figure bears no major breaks or surface blemishes, except for chip to the upper-left thigh.

Published: Mario A. Del Chiaro, Greek Art in Private Collections of Southern California, Santa Barbara, 1966, no. 13, illus.

Bibliography: Marangou, Lila I. Ancient Greek Art from the Collection of Stavros S. Niarchos, Athens, 1995, fig. 29.

Provenance: Wright S. Ludington, acquired in the middle part of the last century