Galerie Cahn

A finely carved marble amphora published by the Comte de Caylus in his Recueil d'Antiquités (1752)

Finely carved marble vase in the shape of an amphora. The principal frieze on the vessel's body is sculpted in shallow relief with frontal figures, repeated, of Eros and Psyche, both winged and emerging, respectively, from acanthus leaves and a lotus flower, while holding aloft floral tendrils in each hand. Above, a narrow band of intertwining floral tendrils that rise from a base of acanthus leaves. The sloping shoulder is ribbed, with a pendant palmette at the base of each missing handle. A small, circular opening with a rill around it at the top of the neck. Ribs of neck, left arm of one of the Psyche figures and a tendril slightly worn. The foot has been restored in the 18th cent. Very close parallels can be found in a group of eight marble vases (four amphoras and four cauldrons) which have been found in the santuary of Diana Nemorensis (Lake Nemi), all with votive inscription CHIO on the shoulder.