Share this page
Hellenistic bronze sculpture 'found in London home' could bring $125,520
Depicting a 1st century BC Hellenistic warrior, this piece of Classical bronze sculpture is for sale
Paul Fraser Collectibles, Thursday 15 March 2012
More Unique Art & Sculpture news | View our stock for sale | Learn about our 120% Guarantee | Download our iPhone app | Sign-up for your Free Newsletter
It's amazing what you can find if you have a dig around... Like this important piece of Classical bronze sculpture, which is believed to depict a Hellenistic warrior of the 1st Century BC.
The historic bronze antique could now bring £50,000-80,000 ($125,520) at an auction of antiquities in London on April 25.
The 23 inch (58.4 cm) tall figure was uncovered in a London home, having been gifted to its present owner, an English private collector, in the 1960s.
It's rare for a bronze cuirassed bust of this calibre and era to appear on the markets. Very few have survived, even in fragmentary condition. Most that have are sculpted in marble, while bronze examples are almost exclusively held in museum collections.
 The Classical bronze sculpture of a 1st Century BC Hellenistic warrior |
According to experts, this military-dressed torso's posture suggests it was once mounted on horseback. Equestrian statues were popular in the Classical period, usually depicting kings like Alexander or generals of the Roman Republic.
The bronze sculpture's raised right arm may have once brandished a weapon as a symbol of vitality, very much in-keeping with Hellenistic art.
According to auction house experts, it's rare to find a statue of this kind with such a dynamic look.
"When we stumbled across this bronze torso it was in a very fragile and fragmentary state in a London home," said Madeleine Perridge, head of antiquities at Bonhams.
"But there was no mistaking its importance as one of a relatively small group of surviving life-size Classical bronzes ... its power and significance was unmistakable."
Recent and related articles
Bronze Somaskanda sculptures could bring $1.2m at Christie's Asian art week | 8 March 2012
16th century calcaire 'warrior' head could bring $15,800 in Paris auction | 6 March 2012
'Big maternité' Ivory Coast sculpture could bring $53,300 in Germany sale | 2 March 2012
Your collecting
View our stock items for sale | How to start a collection
Guides and analysis
Investing in Unique Art & Sculpture | 10 reasons to invest in collectibles | Market information & demographics
www.paulfrasercollectibles.com
Images: Bonhams
