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Lot 76

A PATINATED BRONZE MODEL OF THE DANCING FAUN

Neapolitan, 19th century. Of typical form, with left arm raised, looking skyward, the bearded head with two horns and entwined with acorn husks, on a rectangular plinth, 82 cm high overall; the plinth: 6 cm high; 28 cm wide; 30.5 cm deep

Condition Report: click here
Estimate: £800 - £1,200
Hammer price: £2,400
Bidding ended. Lot has been sold.

The bronze is after a Roman figure of a faun, found in Pompeii on 26 October 1830 and now in the Museo Nazionale, Naples. In part owing to its compact size (71 cm. high - only slightly smaller than the current bronze), its fame was instantaneous. (F. Haskell & N. Penny, Taste and the Antique, 1981, no. 35, pp. 207-8).

There are the inevitable minor dents, marks, scratches and shrinkage cracks due to age and use.  The surface is dark, brown-green and with pale brown rubbed areas (highpoints). Some white paint spotting at the rear edge of the plinth. The head is well cast and finely chased. There is a tiny hole in centre of the top of the faun's head. Two sprues just visible above the pubic area. 

His back, buttocks and calves with some slight paint spotting. The figure fixed to the plinth by means of two hexagonal bolts through the feet, the bolts rusted and worn. 

No foundry or maker's marks are apparent.

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