Marble sculpture “Psyche and the Love bow”, after Etienne-Maurice Falconet

Beautiful marble sculpture after the model by Etienne-Maurice Falconet, “Psyche with the Love bow”. White carrarra marble on a veined marble base. No marks. Great condition.

Size: H 56cm – diameter of the base 22cm

French School of the late 19th century.

Lit: In 1761 Falconet created this model of Psyche which was intended the matching statuette to the famous Threatening Cupid. The original marble has never been found, but Falconet had modelled it for the Sèvres manufactory, who produced a biscuit version. Psyche the nymph is depicted as a small girl hiding a bow which she has stolen from Cupid. The statuette represents the 18th-century fashion for images of children playing or behaving in other natural ways. Even today this pair of mischievous little mythological characters, with their power over the hearts of ordinary mortals, are exquisite examples of gracefulness and elegance.