Description:
An antefix displaying a figure of the young god Eros against a background of an open lotus flower, the petals of which are curling down. He is shown with his wings extending behind him, and reclining around the central depression of the antefix. His lower left leg is bent and hidden under his right leg, and both legs are partially covered by the drapery wrapped across them. The god is gazing up towards a drinking rhyton which he is holding up in his right hand and which is decorated with the foreparts of a horse. His left hand is supporting the back of his head, and his elbow is resting on the drapery beneath him.
The back side has a channeled groove around the rim for fitting, with two holes for attaching the antefix.
Dating:
Circa 2nd century B.C.
Size:
Diameter circa 14.6 cm.
Provenance:
Private collection, purchased from the Archaeological Centre, Jaffa circa 1997; thereafter with Bonhams London, sale of 20 October 2005, lot 331; thereafter Dutch private collection. An export licence for this object was issued by the Israel Antiquities Authority, licence no. 1972.
Condition:
Some surface wear and minor damage as shown; traces of pink and white slip remaining; comes with a custom made metal stand.
SOLD
Stock number:
C1269