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Ancient Roman Bronze Bust of the Young Eros or Cupid (100 BC to 100 BC Roman Empire)

Bronze, silver

Provenance: Ex German Private collection
Found near Cologne, Germany in 1921, Inventory no.891
Thence by descent

This bust of the youthful god of love, son of Venus, has eyes inlaid of silver and the holes for the pupils probably once held points of glass or ivory. Venus was commonly called the ‘lover of laughter’ and was depicted naked accompanied by Eros, her god of desire. Her cult held all that physical love was sacred and that nothing was more beautiful than the nude body. The Romans worshipped her and Cupid as divine until her cult was suppressed by the Emperor Constantine.

A Fine Ancient Roman Bronze Bust of the Young Eros or Cupid his eyes inlaid with silver, his lips slightly parted, his shoulders framed by Acanthus leaves
Probably a furniture mount from a table or couch
1st Century AD

Size: 7cm high, 4cm wide, 2.5cm deep – 2¾ ins high, 1½ ins wide, 1 ins deep