Aphrodite Holding an Apple Statuette in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, January 2018

Statuette of Aphrodite leaning on a column
Greek or Roman, Eastern Mediterranean
Hellenistic or Imperial Period
100 B.C.–100 A.D.

Medium/Technique Marble, sparkling, large-crystaled Greek island

Dimensions Weight: 4.5 kg (10 lb.)

Overall (without modern base): 42.9 x 20.3 x 8.3 cm (16 7/8 x 8 x 3 1/4 in.)

Mount (modern black base): 3.2 x 14 x 9.5 cm (1 1/4 x 5 1/2 x 3 3/4 in.)

Credit Line: Museum purchase with funds donated anonymously

Accession Number: 1979.304

Collections: Europe, Ancient Greece and Rome

Classifications: Sculpture

Catalogue Raisonné Sculpture in Stone and Bronze (MFA), no. 025.

Description: Nude Aphrodite holding an apple in her right hand, leaning on a column with her left. Her hair is pulled up into a top knot.

The remains of a Greek inscription (letters: alpha, upsilon, tau) were found on the reverse side of the base.

Left hand is now missing, the head has been broken and restored.

Provenance: By date unknown: with Bruce and Ingrid McAlpine, Ancient Art, 60 Brook Street, Mayfair, London, England (said to be from the art market in Paris and possibly from Damascus market); May 1979: anonymous purchase from Bruce and Ingrid McAlpine; anonymous gift to MFA, June 20, 1979


Text from: collections.mfa.org/objects/150257/statuette-of-aphrodite-leaning-on-a-column