Italy, early 18th century Venus Marble bust Wearing a loose hairstyle with a long bun, topped with a jewelled tiara, draped over the shoulders, wearing a heart-shaped medallion tied with a ribbon; standing on a flared marble base and square counter base H. 78 cm (30 ¾ in.) l. 57 cm (22 ½ in.) Provenance : Former collection of the Duke of Aveyro "El Retiro", Churriana, Málaga, Spain ; Bonhams London sale, 18 December 2020, lot 87 (£19,000); Acquired by the current owner during the sale. Bibliography: El Retiro (Malaga) in Blanco y Negro, Madrid, 25 April 1970, p. 6. Day-Trip to a Spanish Garden in Country Life, 12 January 1984, pp. 74-76. A carved marble bust depicting Venus, Italian, early 18th century The inventory of El Retiro, 6 May 1966, lists in the main staircase, No. 93 'A lady with a marble pearl diadem' - which could be the bust of Venus before it was moved to the wall of the exterior façade; or No. 94 'A lady with a diadem and bodice for a mask' possibly a pair for the present lot, now missing or weathered in the garden. The bust shown here was removed from an exterior façade wall prior to the sale of the villa and private courtyard-garden, adjacent to the famous national gardens and park.