Bronze Fortuna and Mercury Figures on Marble Bases
You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.
Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item
When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.
- Bronze - An alloy of copper and tin, traditionally in the proportions of about 9 parts of copper to 1 part of tin.
The discovery of bronze in Western Asia in the 4th century enabled people to create metal objects which were superior to those previoulsy possible because of its strength and hardness, and it has been used throughout the world for weapons, coins, tools, statuary and other decorative items.
It is very fluid in a molten state, and its hardness, strength when set, and non-corrosive properties makes it most suitable for casting sculpture. - Cornucopia - The cornucopia, literally the horn of plenty, is a symbol of abundance and wealth. It is traditionally is represented by a curved goat horn overflowing with grain and fruit.
Modern cornucopias are often depicted as horn-shaped baskets filled with food, and this symbol is often associated with the harvest. This decorative device has a long and ancient history, with roots in Greek mythology.
In one version, when Zeus was playing with the goat Amalthea he accidentally broke off one of her horns. To atone for this, Zeus promised Amalthea that the horn would always be full of whatever fruits she desired. This became the cornucopia of the Roman goddess Copia, the personification of plenty. Other goddesses, including Fortuna and Pax, also held the cornucopia.
In furniture and decorative arts, cornucopia as a decorative element have been popular since the 16th century and can be found on items as diverse as light fittings and candelabra to clocks, sculpture and statuary and furniture.
In ceramics, cornucopia shaped vases were popular in the 19th century, in singles and pairs. - A/f, as Inspected - The letters "A/F" or "as inspected" as part of a description is the cataloguer's shorthand for "all faults" or "as found", meaning the item has some type of damage or deficiency, it is of uncertain date or provenance, and/or that the seller takes no responsibility for the completeness of the item or the accuracy of the description.
This item has been included into following indexes:
Visually similar items
A bronze figure of mercury and a bronze figure of Fortuna the mercury after the original by Giambologna (1529-1608), 51 cm high; together with a figure of Fortuna recalling the artist's work of the same title, (horn lacking), 54.5 cm high
After Giambologna (Italian, born c. 1529-1608), two bronze figures of Mercury and Fortuna, 19th century, each figure raised on a rouge marble base embellished with a continuous bronze frieze (2), approx. Height 57 cm
Laurel, P (after), a later 20th century bronze casting of P. Laurel's 1920s gypsy or harem dancer featuring an exotically costumed woman poised on one foot, the other leg raised and arms outstretched, on a stepped and domed marble base; with inscribed sign
Colinet, Claire-Jeanne-Roberte (after), 1910-1940, French, a later 20th century bronze casting of Colinet's eastern dancer featuring an exotically clad woman with a rope girdle with her arms outstretched and clasped over her head, inscribed Colinet to bron