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Walnut Atlantes of Hercules and Hebe browse these categories for related items... Directory: Antiques:Furnishings:Architectural:Interior:Pre 1800: item # 357842 Please refer to our stock # 607 when inquiring.
DeHoogh Antiques 1624 Pine Street Philadelphia, PA 19103 215-735-7722 Guest Book $18,000 |
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| New York 19th century . Height 102 cm, width 50cm, depth 23 cm The pair of atlantes are impressive both for their size and the accomplishment of a skilled carver. Details are intricate as well as being dramatic. Hercules wears a lion skin so often associated with him draped over one shoulder. Two paws are shown with claws extended. The head of the lion is below his waist. What is unusual is that the lion is holding fish in its mouth. This in all probability is indicative that these were carved to be part of a room of a family by the name of Fish. There was a very socially prominent family by that name in New York in the 19th century. Hebe, goddess of youth and spring, wife of Hercules. During the early renaissance women were advised that to attract a man she should smile ever so slightly, but with only one side of her mouth(check out the Mona Lisa) The same subtle feature is on Hebe. By the 18th century one slightly raised eyebrow was believed to have the same effect. Hebe has one slightly raised. For centuries a well defined bared nipple was most alluring(two would be vulgar) Again Hebe has everything going for her. Below her waist are flowers-symbol of innocence. They each wear a crown of olive leaves. Atlantes would have been mounted against a wall so the backs of the figures were never finished. Mounted now as free standing sculptures. | ||||||||
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