1880 Parian Ware Bust of Lesbia, 140 year old Handwritten Provenance Note

Description: *RARE & UNIQUE!!** This exquisite 19th-century parian ware bust of “Lesbia and Her Sparrow” is a remarkable piece for collectors and admirers of classical art. Beautifully crafted, it captures the serene beauty of Lesbia, a figure celebrated in ancient Roman poetry, with her beloved sparrow perched gently on her hand. Included with the bust is a 140-year-old handwritten note, which adds historical depth to the piece by providing details about its acquisition history. This truly paints the scene for how different life was in the 19th century. The note reads:"This bust of "the lady and bird" first came into my possession Spring of 1880When we first went to Cleveland Ohio - from Fredonia N.Y.and lived at 149 Prospect StA man came along one day with a basket of ornaments which he traded for cast off clothing.I traded a pair of John M. Chandler's pants for this little bust which I have always adored.-Sarah A Chandler" A Google search verified this couple's history and I personally found this story captivating. I had so many questions. Did they take a horse & buggy from NY to OH? Was there a railroad available for that route? Was the man walking with a basket of busts walking through a neighborhood or an area with stores? How neat that she was able to acquire this porcelain by giving a stranger a pair of pants. Historical Meaning:The story of Lesbia and her sparrow comes from the Roman poet Catullus, who wrote a series of poems in the 1st century BCE about his love, often called “Lesbia” in his works. Lesbia is thought to be inspired by the historical figure Clodia, known for her intelligence, charm, and turbulent personal life. In one of Catullus’s poems, he describes Lesbia’s close bond with her pet sparrow, a bird she adores and spends much time with, treating it almost as a cherished companion. The sparrow brings her comfort and joy, and Catullus envies it because it has access to Lesbia’s affection in ways he longs for. The poem is both tender and playful, capturing the intensity and fragility of Catullus’s love and highlighting themes of desire, loss, and the fleeting nature of affection. Condition: Minimal wear consistent with age; please refer to all photos. There are some minor imperfections including a crack in the bun of her hair. Dimensions: 9" Tall x 6" Wide x 4" DeepWeight: 1.5 lbs------------------------------------------------ * Please feel free to message me if you have any questions or would like additional photos! ** The note was found folded up on the inside of the underside. The note could be preserved and taped together if you'd like. I did not want to change the original condition of the paper.

Price: 675 USD

Location: Evansville, Indiana

End Time: 2024-11-30T16:26:30.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD