The Shiva Slave (original title possibly The Greek Slave)
This white marble nude figure, entitled Shiva Slave, is sculpted on a Sienna marble circular base. It is possible that the “Shiva Slave” is an Italian word. In the 17th century, the Doge’s Bodyguard was composed of Schiavoni or Slaves, who were armed with a backed, hilted broadsword of peculiar design. We may therefore assume that this sculpture depicts a Slave Girl. Girolamo Oldefredi was a Milanese sculptor of figures and portraits. He exhibited in Milan, Rome and Venice in the last quarter of the 19th century.
