MARBLE FIGURE OF EROS - The Embden Collection Louis XIV, France or Flanders, 17th century. Marble, carved in the round. Standing, winged and partially draped Eros as a boy, holding a dove in his right hand and an hourglass in his left. At his feet are a bow and quiver. On a wooden base painted in faux marble. H 115 cm. Restorations. Cracks. Weathering. Provenance: - Sotheby's auction, Paris, March 24, 2005, lot 11. - The Arlette and Antony Embden Collection, France. The left leg positioned on the quiver, the raised right arm and the head turned to the side with a glance toward the dove give the slightly smiling Eros a certain dynamism as well as an elegant posture. In addition to the usual attributes such as the bow and quiver with arrows, the captured dove, a symbol of freedom, is worth mentioning. Again, in contrast to his childlike appearance, the hourglass is a reminder of transience. Depictions of mythological themes were very popular in France under Louis XIV, especially in court circles, with not only French but also Flemish sculptors creating Baroque figures. Comparable sculptures can be found, for example, in the works of Antoine Coysevox (1640–1720), Pierre Legros (1629–1714), and Louis Lerambert (1620–1670). See François Souchal: French Sculptors of the 17th and 18th centuries. The reign of Louis XIV. Oxford, 1977, Vol. I A-F and II G-L. * The full tax is charged on this item marked *, i.e. VAT is charged on the sum will be refunded to Purchasers providing a validly stamped export declaration.