Fountain of Aphrodite

19th century

FOUNTAIN OF APHRODITE (Italian, 19th century) attributed to the Chiurazzi Foundry, Naples, with modern castings made by Skylight Studios (2001). The central figure of Aphrodite stands at the top center of the fountain holding a large seashell over her head from which issues water. Below her on either side of the top bowl of the fountain are the torsos of two handmaidens with breasts ‘of plenty’ serving as fountain jets, also along this rim are two grotesque masks with open mouths that serve as jets. Raised relief grotesque masks decorate the lower half of the central fountain column. The figures seem to be after Italian bronzes in the manner of Giambologna (1529-1608).

Italian

bronze

marble

Purchased by Thre Preservation Society of Newport County, 1962.

PSNC.1869