99 - A GREEK BRONZE GRIFFIN PROTOME, ARCHAIC PERIOD, CIRCA 7TH CENTURY BC

A GREEK BRONZE GRIFFIN PROTOME, ARCHAIC PERIOD, CIRCA 7TH CENTURY BC Finely cast, the griffin with a thick, sinuous neck rising from a flaring flange and terminating in a powerful bird-of-prey head. The beak is shown wide open, revealing a projecting tongue curled upward, while the menacing eyes are slightly narrowed beneath thick, strongly projecting lids extending far toward the temples. A pair of long, pointed, horn-like ears rise rigidly behind the head, emphasizing the creature’s vigilant character, and is centered by a tall knop-form finial. The high-quality casting is further enriched with extensive cold-worked decoration. Fine engraved lines along the sides and back of the head indicate dense plumage, while hatched bands descend along either side of the neck and terminate in elegant volutes. The bronze displays a rich, naturally grown patina with areas of malachite encrustation. Provenance: Fortuna Fine Arts Ltd., New York, USA. A private collection in the USA, acquired from the above in 2016, and thence by descent. A copy of an invoice from Fortuna Fine Arts Ltd., dated 8 August 2016, and stating a purchase price of USD 55,000 or approx. EUR 66,500 (converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing), accompanies the lot. Condition: Very good condition, commensurate with age. Casting irregularities, obvious losses, nicks, the inlays to the eyes lost, weathering, and encrustations. Weight: 573.4 g (excl. stand), 1,054 g (incl. stand) Dimensions: Height 13 cm (excl. stand), 20 cm (incl. stand) Beginning in the 8th century BC, Greek metalsmiths produced bronze cauldrons, of hammered sheet, and affixed multiple griffin protomes along the perimeter of the curving bowls with nails. These cauldrons were primarily found in sanctuaries and were likely dedicatory in nature. The griffin imagery is inspired by Near Eastern motifs of monsters, which also adorned vessels. Literature comparison: Compare a closely related griffin protome from a cauldron, dated to the mid-7 th century BC, 18.4 cm high, in the Harvard Art Museums, object number 1963.130. Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Sotheby’s New York, 6 December 2012, lot 8 Price: USD 290,500 or approx. EUR 369,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A Greek bronze griffin protome, circa late 7th Century BC Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject, modeling, finial, and squawking expression. Note the larger size (19.7 cm). Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Sotheby’s London, 13 June 2016, lot 4 Price: GBP 56,250 or approx. EUR 93,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A Greek bronze griffin protome, Samos(?), circa late 7th Century BC Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject, modeling, finial, and squawking expression. Note the similar size (12.9 cm). Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Christie’s London, 1 October 2014, lot 76 Price: GBP 35,000 or approx. EUR 58,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A Greek bronze griffin protome, Archaic period, circa late 7 th-late 6 th century BC Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject, modeling, finial, and squawking expression. Note the larger size (20.5 cm).