AFTER BERTEL THORVALDSEN (DANISH, 1770-1844), A CARVED FIGURE OF HEBE MID 19TH CENTURYThe Grecian figure emblematic of youth in carved wood with ebonised finish in emulation of bronze, faint traces of greener 'verdigris' effect visible to folds, turned ebonised plinth base55cm high overall, the base 17cm diameterThorvaldsen's figure of the cup bearer to the Gods was executed in Rome in 1816- a more demure clothed version of his first example from 1806. Subsequently copied in marble, porcelain and bronze but seemingly rarely in wood. The exact genus of the wood used has prompted suggestions of Gutta-Percha and limewood but a precise and definite conclusion has yet to be reached.