Amphitrite

Description The statuette of this goddess of the sea was designed by the sculptor Marius-Jean-Antonin Mercié to be cast in silver as the centerpiece for a table of the Duke of Santonia in 1878. Subsequently, Christolf et Cie., a silver company, had several ivory statuettes carved by Emile-Philippe Scalliet based on Mercié's model. This example was exhibited at the Exposition Universelle held in Paris in 1900. The figure is made from three pieces of carved ivory joined together. The two arms are separate sections, with the joins concealed by metal adornments at the mid-upper arms. A pearl is attached to the figure's chest, and two more can be found on the metal base. Four porpoises decorate each corner of the jasper base.

Exhibitions

• Ivory: The Sumptuous Art. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. 1983-1984.
• From Rye to Raphael: The Walters Story. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. 2014-2016.

Provenance Exposition Universelle, Paris, 1900; Christofle & Cie., Paris [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1900, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Inscriptions [Inscription] behind straight leg: Ant. Mercie

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters, 1900