Description:

Roman, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A fine bronze casket foot in the form of a lion claw grasping a sphere superimposed by a pair of outspread wings - prossibly an abstract representation of a mythical griffin or sphinx - finely cast via the lost wax (cire perdue) process. Though almost all historical sources point to the Chinese for the derivation of the ball and claw design that inspired the popular British Chippendale furniture foot, this example demonstrates that the Romans (likely inspired by the Greeks whose beloved sphinx possessed the haunches of a lion and bird wings) embraced this motif. A fabulous example of ancient Roman bronze casting, replete with expertly delineated form, symbolic iconography, and gorgeous green patina. Custom stand. Size: 2.125" W x 3.375" H (5.4 cm x 8.6 cm)

Provenance: Ex-Private FL collection

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#117516

  • Condition: Gracefully aged surface with expected deposits and gorgeous green patina.

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October 10, 2016 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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