A carved ivory group of the Rape of Deianeira by the centaur Nessus

PROBABLY GERMAN, CIRCA 1870

Details

A carved ivory group of the Rape of Deianeira by the centaur Nessus
Probably German, Circa 1870
The centaur rearing up on his hind legs, abducting the naked Deianeira, on a rectangular stepped griotte and black marble plinth
The ivory: 13 in. (33 cm.) high

Lot Essay

Deianeira was the wife of Hercules and the unwitting cause of his death. Nessus, the centaur, having abducted Deianeira and carried her across a river, attempted to rape her and was shot by Hercules with a poisoned arrow. The dying centaur gave Deianeira his tunic, steeped in blood, telling her that it would reclaim her husband from illicit loves. When she had occasion to present it to Hercules, the poisoned blood brought about his death.

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