1st century BC-2nd century AD. A bronze mount, slightly curved in plan, with high-relief figure of a harpy perched on the head of a ram; the female human head on a bird's body with spread wings; coils to the lateral lobes, loop to the rear of the harpy's head. Property of a Hertfordshire gentleman; found Ware, Hertfordshire, UK. Cf. Rolland, H. Bronzes Antiques de Haute Provence, Paris, 1965, item 228 for a harpy in standing pose. In Greek and Roman mythology the Harpy was a female monster with the body of a bird and head of a woman. The name means snatcher and is associated with the belief that they took the souls of evil people to the Erinyes, underworld deities of vengeance. In Greek, and especially Roman art, they are associated with funereal monuments, being carved on tombstones, though bronze examples are known that were used as decorative elements from furniture, such as the recent find of a furniture leg in the shape of a Harpy from Moverons Quarry in Brightlingsea, Essex, and the two figures which decorate the two front corners of a small, portable, domestic Roman brazier, or grate, for indoor use from Pompeii. They have also been used to decorate the handles of bronze vessels (see the example found at Rhodes and now in the Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University, Acc. No. 1949.89), as well as mirror handles. 36 grams, 42mm (1 3/4").

Fine condition.