Ancient Roman (1st-4th century AD). Bronze statuette of Aphrodite loosening her sandal

Ancient Roman (1st-4th century AD). Bronze statuette of Aphrodite loosening her sandal (19 x 8 x 7.5 cm). Based on a Hellenistic Greek original.

Statues and statuettes of Aphrodite in the pose of loosening her sandal are well known from the Roman period and appear to have been appreciated throughout the empire. Examples are known from places as far afield as Pompeii in Italy, the Greek island of Delos, and Antioch in Syria.  While most examples were produced in the Roman period, they are thought to copy an original Hellenistic statue by the Rhodian(?) sculptor Polycharmos. Pliny the Elder reported that a full size marble example of the statue (the looted original?) could be seen in the Porticus Octaviae of Rome in the first century AD. Coins struck at Aphrodisias in the third century AD show that this Carian city also possessed a copy of the celebrated statue.

HOLLOW CAST BRONZE STATUE. STILL A HEAVY PIECE

ORIGINAL PATINA AND ENCRUSTATIONS

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