Terracotta Group with Cupid and Psyche from Canosa

Culture: Greek/Canosa

Period: 3rd century B.C.

Material: Terracotta

Dimensions: 13.9 cm high

Price: 8 000 Euro

Ref: 2630

Provenance: From a private collection in Neuchâtel. Auctioned with Christie’s New York on 8 July 2012, lot 100. There acquired by a London private collection.

Condition: Overall, very beautifully preserved. Cupid’s right wing reattached without any missing parts. The two upper feather tips also professionally reattached. On the upper part of the left wing a small restoration with colour retouching. Small missing parts on the fingertip of the right hand. The colours are still vivid.

Description: Charming terracotta group from Canosa in Apulia depicting Cupid and Psyche in loving togetherness. The divine Cupid is without clothes and has his wings stretched out. He sits on a rock and places his right arm around Psyche’s shoulder. His left hand tenderly reaches out to her face. He wears a blue filet. The mortal Psyche sits with her bare upper body next to him and has her gaze directed to her admirer. She has a rose-coloured cape placed around her lap covering her legs and only the tiptoes are protruding. She wears a rose-coloured filet. Her left arm is pulled into her hip behind Cupid’s back. The right hand is placed on her right thigh with open palm and stretched out thumb. She seems to be completely fascinated listening to Cupid’s words. A terracotta group full of graze and tenderness with wonderfully preserved colours.