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Eros playing a kithara or lyre (now lost)

Greek
Hellenistic Period
late 4th - first half of 3rd century B.C.
Findspot: Greece, Euboia, Eretria, Tomb of the Erotes; Place of Manufacture: Greece, Euboia

Medium/Technique Terracotta
Dimensions Height: 10 cm (3 15/16 in.)
Credit Line Catharine Page Perkins Fund
Accession Number97.303
ClassificationsSculpture

DescriptionStatuette of winged baby. His right arm is bent across his chest with thumb extended, as if playing on a musical instrument. A cloak covers head and shoulders; under the hood is a turban. Cloak bright pink and blue; wings white and gold; lips red. Missing; left wing and tip of right.
Objects in the MFA from the Tomb of the Erotes include 97.290-97.345, 98.790-98.794, 98.798, 98.893, 99.438, and 21.1213.
On the backs of some figures, remains of plaster with the impression of string make it clear that the winged figures were suspended.
ProvenanceBy 1897: with Edward Perry Warren (according to Warren's records: [one of] 28 Erotes said to be all from the same grave at Eretria); 1897: purchased by MFA from Edward Perry Warren for $ 25,000.00 (this figure is the total price for MFA 97.285-97.442 and 97.1104)