Ancient Greece, Geometric Period, ca. 8th to 7th century BCE. A solid cast-bronze horse figurine standing on four slender legs with delineated hooves. The body tapers near the midsection and has a small tail hanging off the posterior, and a thin neck stretches upwards from the chest to form the petite head. The equine visage boasts impressed eyes, a crested mane, perky ears, and an attenuated snout with a groove denoting the mouth. Attractive layers of forest-green and brown patina have formed across the surfaces. Size: 2.5" L x 0.7" W x 2.4" H (6.4 cm x 1.8 cm x 6.1 cm).
The Geometric Period was when many of the trends that ultimately would define Classical Greece began: there was an explosion in population leading to the development of proto-urban centers and the construction of monumental temples and sanctuaries; writing, lost after the Mycenaean period, returned to Greece, and along with it came the writing down of The Iliad and The Odyssey for the first time; finally, much of the artwork of the period depicts scenes of gods that would later become codified as the official Greek state religion.
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-Richard Wagner collection, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA, acquired in the 1960s
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#146615
Condition
Repaired from multiple pieces with light earthen stabilization material over break lines, though repairs are nearly invisible and do not impede the presentation. Slight bending to overall form of body and legs, with softening to some finer details, and light encrustations. Nice earthen deposits as well as fabulous green and brown patina throughout.