An extremely rare Minton figure of Europa and the Bull

An extremely rare Minton Parian figure of Europa and the Bull after the original by the French Sculptor Jean-Baptiste Klagmann (1810 -1867). Marked for Minton with date code for 1863.  Height 42cm (16½“), overall width approx.44cm (17”)

In the Greek myth, the King of the Gods, Zeus, falls in love with the human maiden Europa, daughter of Agenor of Canaan. Zeus disguises himself as a snow-white bull and joins Agenor’s herd of cattle on the shore. Europa is struck by his beauty and plays with him, garlanding him with flowers. She sits on his back whereupon he swims away with her. On arrival in Crete, Zeus takes on the form of an eagle and seduces Europa who in time bears him 3 sons, one of whom is King Minos of Crete.  Europa gave her name to the continent of Europe.

This group is illustrated in the “Parian Phenomenon” page 84 fig 129. 

Condition: Very good. The rear of the bull’s right front leg has been professionally restored as has the lower part of the garland on its face.  As is virtually inevitable in such a large and heavy Parian piece, there are a small number of firing lines to the figure - please see our photos.