A PAIR OF ITALIAN CARVED ALABASTER FIGURAL GROUPS DEPICTING THE LOVES OF THE ANCIENTS

19TH CENTURY

Details

A PAIR OF ITALIAN CARVED ALABASTER FIGURAL GROUPS DEPICTING THE LOVES OF THE ANCIENTS
19th Century
One depicting Cupid and Psyche embracing with arms entwined and on a stepped plinth base, the other Sappho and Cleis standing alongside one another with arms entwined on a stepped plinth base
11½in. (29cm.) high (2)

Lot Essay

Although Sappho is best known for her love of women, she is depicted here with her daughter, Cleis, the product of her marriage to a prosperous merchant. Born into the aristocracy, her position and wealth allowed her to devote her time to the arts, which she studied on the isle of Lesbos.

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