Object Description
A fine and sweet ancient Roman, terracotta figurine of Cupid resting. Moulded in the round, the god is depicted seated in a relaxed pose. He rests his head on his left leg, propped up onto the seat, and uses his folded arms as a pillow. His left foot rests on a cross-hatched basket, while his right leg, extended below him, is planted on the stepped base. In his left hand, he holds a hanging, crescent-shaped accoutrement while his right has been placed on his left forearm. The god is richly adorned, with anklets on both legs and an armlet on his right bicep. His head is surmounted by a laurel wreath, as well as radiate wreath of pointed ivy leaves, and rests on his right hand, which is draped over his left forearm. He is naked, apart from a himation (cloak), tied around his neck and draped over his back. The cloak is fastened by his right shoulder with a rounded fibula. Rendered naturalistically, the god has been represented in his child-form, with chubby cheeks and softly moulded, rounded limbs and stomach. His other facial features, such as his wide nose, curving brows, slightly open mouth and almond-shaped eyes are still clearly visible. His eyes, with his pupils represented by two circular indentations, are heavily lidded, as though the god was on the brink of falling asleep. His hair flows out from under the wreaths in long corkscrew curls that frame his face and the back of his head. To the reverse, the folds and draping of the himation have been richly detailed, covering his back and the top of his right shoulder. From his back, two large wings with clearly depicted feathers unfurl outwards. He is presented with all his typical attributes, including a bow to the left below the basket, and a lyre, enriched with a cross-hatched pattern, to the right, by his right foot. The figurine is hollow and sits on a plain base, decorated simply at the bottom with encircling, raised ridges.
Date: Circa 1st Century BC – 2nd Century AD