Alabaster Bust of the Muse Polymnia with Lyre signed A. Cipriani (1890's)

Signed "A. Cipriani" Italian, circa 1900. Adolfo Cipriani, also known as Ada, was an Italian sculptor born in Florence, active from c.1880-1930, and known for his marble and alabaster works aimed at the international market. Working at the turn of the century, his allegorical and portrait figures are in the Art Nouveau style.

Imagine this museum-quality antique Alabaster classical bust in your Library, Living Room, or Entryway. The beautiful Alabaster carving by Cipriani is thought to be the Muse Polymnia, one of the classical Greek muses. Muse Polymnia was the protector of the divine hymns and mimic art; she invented geometry and grammar. She was depicted looking up to the Sky, holding a lyre.

Sourced from the Nine Muses of Greek Mythology: "According to the Greek Myths, god Zeus bewildered the young woman Mnemosyne and slept with her for nine consecutive nights. The result of their encounter was the Nine Muses, who were similar to everything. Μnemosyne gave the babies to Nymph Eufime and god Apollo. When they grew up they showed their tendency to the arts, taught by the god Apollo himself.

They were not interested in anything of the regular human everyday life and they wanted to dedicate their lives to the Arts. Apollo brought them to the big and beautiful Mount Elikonas, where the older Temple of Zeus used to be. Ever since, the Muses supported and encouraged creation, enhancing imagination and inspiration of the artists.

Muses and the Arts: According to the Greek Mythology, two Muses invented theory and practice in learning, three Muses invented the musical vibrations in Lyre, four Muses invented the four known dialects in the Greek language – Attican, Ionian, Aeolian and Dorian – and five muses the five human senses. Seven muses invented the seven chords of the lyre, the seven celestial zones, the seven planets and the seven vocals of the Greek Alphabet."

This bust was part of the Spurrier Estate. We believe it was probably acquired in the 1930's. The bust was created in the period 1880's - 1890's and was part of an estate in Davenport, Iowa, a major center of German culture, industry, and affluent merchants who had extensive ties to Europe and Britain.

Separate arrangements can be made if a purchaser needs a beautiful display pedestal that we have used in our Great Room for many years.