Lot 29
Roman, Imperial period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. An elegant Roman silver pendant presenting a miniature yet evocative figure of Venus Anadyomene, the goddess of love depicted in the act of wringing water from her hair. Cast in solid silver, the nude goddess stands tall and poised, her weight shifted delicately onto one leg, arms lifted to her head in a gesture echoing the iconic moment of her birth from the sea. Venus Anadyomene, or "Venus rising from the sea," was a popular motif in Roman domestic art, sculpture, and personal adornment. The theme derives from Hellenistic representations of Aphrodite, particularly the lost masterpiece by Apelles, celebrated in antiquity and widely copied in Roman visual culture. Here, the goddess's form is distilled into a votive-scale figure, detailed in smooth contours and subtle modeling, likely once suspended from a necklace or worn as a personal charm. Size: 0.6" W x 1.7" H (1.5 cm x 4.3 cm); silver quality: 90.3%; weight: 9.5 grams
The compact base beneath her feet suggests it may have originally functioned as both an ornament and a devotional token, perhaps intended to invoke beauty, fertility, and sensual allure. Despite its diminutive size, the piece conveys grace and classical proportion, reflecting the Roman affinity for mythological subjects rendered with intimacy and tactility. Rendered in silver - a precious yet more accessible metal than gold - this pendant may have belonged to a woman of modest status, a private expression of taste and piety worn close to the body in everyday life.
Provenance: private Dayton, Maryland, USA collection; ex-private F. B. collection, Maryland, USA, acquired between 1990 to 2010
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
SHIPPING EXCEPTIONS: Due to customs clearance issues, we are unable to ship to Germany, Switzerland and Australia. If you live in Germany, Switzerland or Australia, you will need to provide an alternate shipping destination, or we will not be able to complete your purchase. In addition, please note that we are unable to ship ancient items back to the original country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.)
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: Unless a known customer of Artemis, payment for all gold / precious metal / gem lots must be made via Bank Wire Transfer or Certified Bank Check/Money Order, no exceptions.
#195837
- Condition: Surface wear with abrasions as shown, all commensurate with age, but otherwise, intact, wearable, and in very good condition with light patina and earthen deposits in areas.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Shipping
Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |