Classical World, Etruria, ca. 5th century BCE. A cast-bronze male dancer, nude and squatting with his head in portrait. His muscular legs support his unwavering pose while bent arms and clenched hands rest on his hips for balance. Almond-shaped eyes, a petite nose, full lips, and a finely-incised beard comprise his performative countenance, all beneath a coiffure which falls just below his shoulder blades. The figure is covered in layers of lustrous green, blue-green, and brown patina, imbuing it with an elegant presentation evocative of ancient Etruria! Custom museum-quality display stand included. Size: 1.875" W x 2.375" H (4.8 cm x 6 cm); 2.7" H (6.9 cm) on included custom stand.

The Etruscans were very sophisticated metalworkers - famous for their small-scale bronze figures - and looking at this exceptional example, it is easy to understand why. Apparently the demand for the Etruscans' masterful works was immense during their time, for when the Romans captured Volsinii in 265 BCE, they reportedly removed 2,000 bronzes! (Pliny, Natural History 34.33)

For some similar examples, please see Eisenberg, J. Art of the Ancient World, Vol. XXIII. Royal Athena Galleries, New York, 2012, p. 28, fig. 40.

Provenance: private Boulder, Colorado, USA collection

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#136275

Surface wear and minor abrasions commensurate with age, slight bending to legs, fading to some areas of finer incised details, and light roughness across most surfaces, otherwise intact and excellent. Light earthen deposits and beautiful green, blue-green, and brown patina throughout.