Etruscan animal, 6th century BC.
Bronze.
Provenance: Private collection of Columbia University economics professor Vladimir Gregorievitch Simkhovitch (1874-1959), USA. Vladimir was a great collector of ancient art and works from his collection are preserved in the Smithsonian Musuem, the Metropolitan Museum of NY or the Brooklyn Museum among others.
Publications: Ancient art from the V.G. Simkhovitch collection, Wolf Rudolph and Adriana Calinescu, Indiana University Art Museum. 1998. Possibly mentioned as part of lot 82, page 101.
In good condition.
Measurements: 8 cm (height); 11 cm (height with stand).
This animal, possibly a lion, is an example of the sculptural art of the Etruscan culture, which already in antiquity was surrounded by an aura of mystery; even their Greek contemporaries were intrigued by the sudden emergence of this people as a maritime and commercial power, by this ancient people who, according to Dionysius of Halicarnassus, "resemble no other in their language and customs". Our animal sits on its hindquarters, while looking to its front in an upright posture. Its face has almond-shaped eyes, a defined muzzle and pointed ears.