A scarce Parian statue of the water nymph Undine

A scarce Parian statue of Undine from the sculptor John Hancock, by an unknown manufacturer. Impressed Undine and the name of the sculptor. Dated c.1855. The figure is seated on a stone plinth, on the back of which is a skull with crossed swords and some faint text which we have been unable to read.  According to the Parian Phenomenon, the Parian figure was based on a statue exhibited at the London Royal Academy in 1851. 

The Undine or Ondine represents one of the four Ancient Greek elements, water, and is a mythological water spirit or nymph. Versions of the Undine appear throughout Western literature and music. Hans Christian Andersen’s Little Mermaid, where the mermaid gives up immortality in exchange for human legs and the chance of a soul, is based on one of the legends associated with the Undine.

The figure is illustrated in the Parian Phenomenon page 249 figure 843.

Height: 41cm (16”)

Condition: Very good. There is a tiny chip to the base. Unusually, part of the loose coral necklace is still held in Undine’s hand, although there is a portion missing. (The copy in the Parian Phenomenon has none of the coral necklace extant.)