Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. An imaginative cast bronze foot, probably from a casket of chest based on its size, in the form of a faun's (satyr's) goat leg below a swan's arched neck and head. The leg and head are both wonderfully naturalistic, in strong contrast to their positioning as a single form. The details of the hoof, fur, feathers, and beak are all excellent. Comes with custom stand. Size: 1" W x 3.3" H (2.5 cm x 8.4 cm); height on stand: 3.7" (9.4 cm).

Swans are a common motif in Greek and Roman artwork, possibly inspired by the the story of Leda and Zeus (Jupiter, to the Romans). Leda, although originally Greek, was popular in ancient Rome, yielding some beautiful monumental artwork like the statue held by the Getty Museum, and smaller everyday items like this one. Meanwhile, fauns, half-human/half-goat creatures, were associated with Faunus, a god of nature whose imagery was also common in the Roman world.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#120864

Smooth patina over surface; excellent preservation of detail.