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Cast of a statue of the Ephesian Diana, said to be after a Greek marble original
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Ephesian Diana SM SC51. Before conservation, July 2012. ©A.C. Cooper (colour) Limited
Cast of a statue of the Ephesian Diana, said to be after a Greek marble original
Plaster cast
Museum number: SC51
On display: Staircase - second to third floor (pre-booked tours only)
All spaces are in No. 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields unless identified as in No. 12, Soane's first house.
For tours https://www.soane.org/your-visit
Curatorial note
This statue remains in its original position as described by Soane in his 1835 Description, in a niche at the top of the main staircase at 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields: 'A few steps up the staircase leading to the Attic story, in a niche, is a bust .... and in the niche above is a plaster Cast of the Ephesian Diana or Prolific Nature, presented to me by Messrs. Rundell & Co.'
It is fascinating that the original letter sent to Soane with the statue refers to its being a cast from a Greek marble formerly in the possession of Rundell and Bridge because in fact this figure has rather a 'Regency' look and former Director, Tim Knox, has speculated that it might in fact be an early 19th century sculptor's version of the Ephesian Diana rather than a cast after the antique.
The images attached show it after it was taken down and surface cleaned but before the right-hand and its broken/missing fingers were repaired /re-made by Taylor Pearce Restoration in 2012.
A marble statue, seemingly identical to this cast and perhaps the original from which it was taken, was sold in November 2023 by Dreweatts (Robert Kime: The Personal collection, Lot 6). Sadly, no provenance was given so it is impossible to state this for certain.
It is fascinating that the original letter sent to Soane with the statue refers to its being a cast from a Greek marble formerly in the possession of Rundell and Bridge because in fact this figure has rather a 'Regency' look and former Director, Tim Knox, has speculated that it might in fact be an early 19th century sculptor's version of the Ephesian Diana rather than a cast after the antique.
The images attached show it after it was taken down and surface cleaned but before the right-hand and its broken/missing fingers were repaired /re-made by Taylor Pearce Restoration in 2012.
A marble statue, seemingly identical to this cast and perhaps the original from which it was taken, was sold in November 2023 by Dreweatts (Robert Kime: The Personal collection, Lot 6). Sadly, no provenance was given so it is impossible to state this for certain.
Provenance
SM Archive/Private Correspondence XVI.F.137: Letter to Soane dated 8 April 1834:
Ludgate Hill 8 April 1834 / Messrs Rundell Bridge & Co present their respects to Sir John Soane and have the pleasure of adding to his Collection a Cast of a Statue of either the Cybele or the Ephesian Diana from a Greek marble formerly in their collection.
Soane collections online is being continually updated. If you wish to find out more or if you have any further information about this object please contact us: worksofart@soane.org.uk