An Italian alabaster group entitled 'Cupid and Psyche', on marble pedestal

AFTER ANTONIO CANOVA, LATE 19TH CENTURY

Details

An Italian alabaster group entitled 'Cupid and Psyche', on marble pedestal
After Antonio Canova, Late 19th Century
The youthful Cupid kneeling and embracing the reclining Psyche, on a naturalistically-carved semi-circular base, tips of Cupid's wings restored; on a verde antico marble revolving pedestal, with semi-circular top, tapering column, waisted foot and octagonal base
The group: 22½in. (57.1cm.) high
The pedestal: 43½in. (110.5cm.) high

Lot Essay

Canova's original marble version of Cupid and Psyche was commissioned in 1787 by John Campbell, later Lord Cawdor. However, the work never reached Campbell and was instead acquired by Napoleon for his château in Compiègne. A second version of the marble was subsequently carved for Prince Yusupov and is now in the Hermitage, St. Petersburg.

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