Posted 15 years ago
cogito
(123 items)
Art Nouveau or Etruscan Revival style bronze handled vase, the body having incised and integrated rams heads with the wrapped horns forming the handles terminating at the mouth, the whole with an outstanding verdigris to brown patina. Unmarked and attribution unknown. 5.75" high x 10" diameter. Possible late 19th century Japanese export piece for European market?
Any attribution information regarding a maker or manufacturer would be most appreciated.
Those 'ram's heads' intrigue me: they seem to be more human than goat. Is there an occult relationship?
I hope not! :)
I thought maybe the anthropomorph qualities were a hint toward Meiji era craftsmanship, though if it were Asian for the European market I would expect the patina to be more uniform. The patina is certainly more Arts & Crafts in technique. All-in-all it's the most mysterious piece I own.
that's the most beautiful patination i've ever seen! incredible. could it be much older - as in antiquity? i've only seen patination like that on ancient pieces.