Greece, Geometric, ca. 7th century BCE. A cast bronze fibula or brooch depicting an abstract rendering of a hound in a dynamic pose with long legs, its forelegs flat to the ground and its rump raised as if the dog is kneeling or has made an intriguing find, and presenting a stylized visage with four ridges across it and an open mouth. Custom stand. Size: 2.75" L x 1.25" H (7 cm x 3.2 cm); 1.625" H (4.1 cm) on the stand

Ancient Greeks held hunting dogs in high esteem; they appear in painted registers adorning Corinthian Geometric Period pottery as well. See Peter Connor and Heather Jackson's "A Catalogue of Greek Vases in the Collection of the University of Melbourne ..." (Macxmillan Education, 2000) pp 58-59. The earliest text about hunting dogs has been attributed to Xenophon, who was born approximately 430 BCE and is best known for his "Anabasis" and "Hellenica". Xenophon writes about two particular varieties of Laconian hounds - one called the Castorian after Castor who supposedly took a special interest in them, and another called the Vulpine, which were believed to be the offspring of a dog and a fox. These hounds tracked their prey (hares in particular) via scent, and according to Xenophon the Laconian should "give chase vigorously without relaxing, with much clamor and baying, all coming out together after the hare on every side. Let them pursue fast and brilliantly, borne along after her in a pack, giving tongue properly again and again" (IV.5).

For additional context and entertaining reading see "Xenophon and Arrian: On Hunting" (1999) translated by A. A. Phillips and M. M. Willcock; Xenophon: Scripta Minora (1968) translated by E. C. Marchant (Loeb Classical Library); Denison Bingham Hull's "Hounds and Hunting in Ancient Greece" (1964); J.M.C. Toynbee's "Animals in Roman Life and Art" (1973); Gisela M.A. Richter's "Animals in Greek Sculpture" (1930); Douglas Brewer, Terence Clark, and Adrian Phillips' "Dogs in Antiquity" (2001).

Provenance: ex-S.R. collection, Beverly Hills, California, USA; acquired from Royal Athena Galleries in 1996

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#123471

Loss to tip of pin and legs. Gorgeous green patina.