FOUNDRY ACTIVE IN THE FIRST DECADES OF THE XIX CENTURY

Hercules "Hepitrapezios" (sitting ...

FOUNDRY ACTIVE IN THE FIRST DECADES OF THE XIX CENTURY

Hercules "Hepitrapezios" (sitting at the table). Inspired by an archeological design found in Pompei.

Black-coated bronze. 21,5 x 11 x 15,5 cm

This archeologically-inspired bronze statuette was based on the sculpture known as “Hercules Hepitrapezios”, unearthed in Pompei and preserved in Naples’ Archeological Museum, dated to the I century A.D and modelled after a statue by Lisippo (IV century B.C.).

Excavations began in Pompei in 1748, therefore every bronze statuette Inspired by Pompeian themes is dated based on the date of the original discovery.

This applies to this specimen as well which, despite being quite worn due to its faux-unearthed patina, should be dated to the end of XVIII century up to the first half of the next one, when Gran Tour collector items were at the zenit of popularity among foreign travelers in Italy.