CIMRM 507 - Torchbearer remodelled as Paris. Chiaramonti museum, Vatican, Rome.

Statue of torch-bearer, heavily restored into a statue of Paris. A pair of torchbearers were discovered in the 18th century in Rome in a sand pit. One (CIMRM 506) is now in London, the other is this one in the Vatican.

Description: Mithraic torch-bearer Cautes/Cautopates, Vatican, Museum Chiaramonti, XXXIII, 5. Originally held a torch, but when discovered in 1785 misinterpreted as Apollo and thus in the subsequent restoration in Paris given an apple to hold. CIMRM 507/MMM II 209.27. Marble, Roman artwork, 2nd-3rd century AD. From a grotto 5 miles outside Porta Portese in Rome, 1785. Found together with torch-bearer sibling statue CIMRM 506, likewise misinterpreted/restored as Apollo, now in the British Museum (Cat. Br. Mus., 89 No. 1722).
Current location: Vatican Museums. Museo Chiaramonti.
Accession number: Inv. 1705
Source/Photographer: Jastrow (2006)

Goethe refers to the discovery of the two statues as follows:

I felt sorry that an intelligent and wealthy art lover, like the Count should sometimes deal with persons who were not very reliable. His acquisition of a fake carved gem gave rise to arguments and caused him much annoyance. However, he could feel happy about having bought a beautiful statue of Paris or, as some think, Mithras. Its counterpart is now in the Museo Pio-Clementino: both were found in the same sand-pit.¹

CIMRM entry

507.
White marble statue (H. 1.46). Vatican, Mus. Chiaramonti, XXXIII,5.
Guattani, Mon. ant., 87ff, Taf. III; Massi, Ind. ant., 91 No. 42; E. Q. Visconti, Mus. Pio Clem., III, Pl. XXI; Opere varie, IV, 339 No. 115; Piranesi, Mon. Nap., IV Pl. IV; Zoega and Welcker, Abh., 94 n. 2; Ciarac, Mus. Sculpt., IV, 24 and Pl. 559 No. 1189; Gerhard-Platner, 204 No. 8; MMM II 209 No. 27 and Pl. II; RRS I 296, 1; Amelung, Skulpt. Vat., I (3),538 No. 352 and. Taf. 56; Anderson,1433 (see fig. 148).
Torchbearer, restored as a Paris. It may appear from the attitude, that he held the torch downwards with both hands; not cross-legged. Restorations: parts of face and attire, of the l. foot and trunk; the l.h. entirely.