**Originally Listed At $3500**
Romano-British, Imperial Period, ca. 1st Century CE. Skillfully cast via the lost wax (cire perdue) process, a bronze vessel mount of a rare type, depicting the forepart of Pegasus emerging from blossoming foliage. The details are absolutely exquisite - Pegasus with finely delineated ears, mane, eyes, and snout as well as pronounced wings with stylized plumage and remains of forelegs - the foliage with a three long well-defined petals from which Pegasus brilliantly emerges. Size: 4.125" L x 2" H (10.5 cm x 5.1 cm); 2.875" H (7.3 cm) on included custom stand.
Pegasus is one of the most popular and instantly recognizable figures in Classical mythology - a magnificent winged horse known for aiding the hero Bellerophon as he battled against the fire-breathing chimera.
Published by M. Henig in the Antiquaries Journal (1983), p. 361, f, pl. L; J. Eisenberg, Art of the Ancient World, IV, 1985, no. 319.
Exhibited: Kresge Art Museum, MSU, 1985-1994; Ball State University Museum 1994-2005; George Mason University 2005-2010; Fitchburg Art Museum 2010-2013.
Provenance: R.K. collection, Drayton Plains, Michigan, acquired from Royal-Athena in 1985; ex-Mildenhall, Suffolk, England. Published by M. Henig in the Antiquaries Journal (1983), p. 361, f, pl. L; J. Eisenberg, Art of the Ancient World, IV, 1985, no. 319. Exhibited: Kresge Art Museum, MSU, 1985-1994; Ball State University Museum 1994-2005; George Mason University 2005-2010; Fitchburg Art Museum 2010-2013.
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most Antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm. #157865
Condition
Loss to forelegs as shown. Expected age wear with nicks/chips to peripheries of mane and wings of Pegasus and foliage. Some softening to details but features of the visage, wings, and foliage are still strong. Bronze has developed a rich patina with areas of verdigris.