Object Description
A fine ancient Roman bronze statuette of Cupid holding a theatre mask. Modelled in the round, the god is depicted seated, slightly reclined, on a rounded base. The deity is nude, apart from a cloth draped over his right thigh, continuing to the reverse. His limbs and musculature are rounded and youthful. His left leg is bent beneath him, while his right is extended, dangling off the side of the base. In his left hand, he holds a theatre mask at the top, by its straight-haired peruke. The mask shows its characteristic features, with high arching, furrowed brows, a small, rounded nose, and a large, open, upward-curving mouth. Cupid leans his head on his raised right hand, formed into a fist by his temple. His facial features have been rendered stylistically, with small, rounded indentations representing his eyes. A straight nose and subtle mouth are still visible to his face. His head is surmounted by an encircling fillet and his hair is drawn up into a bun at the back. The statuette sits on a rounded base, with raised edges to the top and base. To the reverse, the base features a flat section, possibly for attachment.
The statuette is mounted on a custom-made stand. The measurements listed below include the stand. Without the stand, the figure measures 4.5cm in height and 3.7cm in length.
Date: Circa 1st Century AD – 3rd Century AD