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History of Science Museum

Stereoscopic Photograph (Daguerreotype) of a Sculpture or Figurine of Ariadne and the Panther, Probably French, 1850s

Inventory Number 72418


Acknowledgement: © History of Science Museum, University of Oxford, inv.72418

Item type
Object
Provenance
Purchased from R. S. Clay in 1944. Part of the Clay Collection.
Primary inscriptions
Inscription on back: '10/'.
Physical material
Copper
Glass
Paper
Dimensions
Height: 85mm Width: 174mm
Inventory No
72418
Accession Number
1944-1

Description

Stereoscopic daguerreotype, enclosed in black tape with black mat with gold borders and curved tops. A sculpture or figurine of a classical female nude reclining on a beast, on a pedestal. No markings (except what may be the price written on the back), but probably French (the gold border being typical).

It is not possible to tell whether the subject is a large marble sculpture or a small statuette or porcelain figurine. A similar subject (but not the same) appears in the stereoscopic collodion positive 14755. Versions of the figure, representing Ariadne on a panther, though sometimes entitled Voluptuousness, were produced by various ceramic manufacturers.