This beautiful Roman fragmentary statuette once belonged to Henry Howard, 4th Earl of Carlisle (1694-1758) and was displayed alongside his family’s illustrious collection of antiquities in their seat of Castle Howard, North Yorkshire.

This fragment preserves an eagle with spread wings, an ancient solar symbol. It was also regarded as the messenger of the king of the gods Zeus, who transformed at times into this bird.

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Height: 7 3/4 inches (19.7 cm)

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Provenance:

Acquired by Henry Howard, 4th Earl of Carlisle, between 1714-1739, during his travels to Rome, and thence by descent

Subsequently Sotheby's, Castle Howard sale, 11 November 1991, lot 44

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Published:

B. Borg & H. von Hesberg, A. Linfert, Die antiken Skulpturen in Castle Howard, MAR XXI, Wiesbaden, 2005, 69, Cat. no. 28, Pl. 24

Arachne 3827: Lower part of a statuette of Zeus/Jupiter, Castle Howard, Yorkshire, Western Staircase.