Hi Ronald,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
Ariadne on a Panther" is a neoclassical marble sculpture by Johann Heinrich Dannecker (1758-1841), a German sculptor. The original "Ariadne on a Panther" was created between 1803 and 1814 and is housed in the Stuttgart State Museum of Art (Staatsgalerie Stuttgart) in Germany. It depicts the mythological figure Ariadne, seated on a panther.
Ariadne is portrayed as a graceful yet commanding figure, reclining with confidence on the panther. Her serene expression contrasts with the tension of the panther's body. The panther, a symbol of Dionysus (Ariadne's mythological husband), is shown in motion, lending a sense of energy to the composition. The sculpture draws heavily on classical mythology and Greco-Roman artistic ideals, with an emphasis on idealized human form and dynamic storytelling.

The original sculpture was so popular that it was replicated in marble, alabaster and porcelain, there in a smaller scale. When these come to auction today, they usually sell for between AUD $2,000-3,000. Note that this value may be different than a price asked by a retailer, antiques dealer or gallery owner.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

German School, 19th or 20th Century
After Johann Heinrich Dannecker (German, 1758-1841)
"Ariadne on a Panther"
marble
unsigned
54 cm (21-1/4 inches) tall; 54 cm (21-1/4 inches) long; 18cm (7-1/16 inches) deep
CONDITION: This sculpture appears to be in good condition
PROVENANCE: Inherited
AUD$2000-3000*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia