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Bronze, 1 ½” height comprising the snout with mouth opened and fangs bared, to above the eyes. Broken from a larger figure. The preponderance of bronze figure fragments far outnumber that which would be expected. In a Christies sale (https://www.christies.com/features/Greek-and-Roman-sculpture-Legs-arms-hands-and-feet-6859-1.aspx) it is suggested that assembly joints account for the fragmentation, yet on that same page a larger than life human hand lacks one finger. That is not a joint failure and breaking a bronze finger an inch in diameter requires massive force. This is common and clearly deliberate. A parallel to this is the breaking of huge Egyptian figures and in particular, the defacing by nose breaking. All clearly deliberate with purpose now lost. In this instance, the head was semi hollow and the break over ¼” thick at one point. This has to be the result of massive crushing pressure as it would be impossible to grip to ably any other type of force. Another mystery yet unsolved, but at least we’ve got the best part!
Stock Number: B3285

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