Ganymede & Eagle Figurine

This is a superb biscuit porcelain figurine made by Royal Copenhagen in the late 19th century. It is of a Ganymede with Jupiter's eagle. The original marble figure was sculpted by Bertel Thorvaldsen in 1817 I believe. The boy figure is feeding the eagle from a cup. It is a really well done piece and one I have been wanting to have for a while. Left unglazed it shows off all that amazing detail that is often hidden by the glaze. Jsut stuning! The figure is in nice condition but he would have normally held a pitcher in his right hand which is missing. A problem that is quite common on this model. A few small firing cracks from when it was made with a larger one under the eagle's wing where it meets his body which was filled in at some point to hide it more like right after production which is not an uncommon thing to find. It does not show at all when displayed and the piece displays perfectly. The side of the base is marked with the wavy three blue lines underneath as well as the word Eneret (I think it stands for Copyright) with the letter B. under it as shown. The piece is 4.375 inches tall, 5.5 inches wide and 2.375 inches deep. Please email me for more information or other pictures.

Some more info on the subject: In Greek mythology the boy Ganymede was carried up into the sky, to the home of the gods on Olympus to be the gods’ taster. According to legend it was Zeus, in the shape of an eagle, who took the beautiful boy from Phrygia in the north-western part of Asia Minor (Turkey). The effect of Thorvaldsen’s sculpture is created mostly by the contrast between the smooth skin of the boy and his trusting nature, which is juxtaposed by the detailed rendering of the eagle’s feathers, its harsh look and its sharp beak. Ganymede was to take the place of Hebe as the taster of the gods, because she spilled the drink – the nectar – that made the gods immortal.