What is a Grand Tour bronze sculpture?

Grand Tour bronzes are 19th-century cast reproductions of classical Greek and Roman statues, acquired by European travellers visiting historic sites across Italy and Greece.

How were 19th-century bronze figures traditionally made?

These sculptures were crafted using the lost-wax or sand-casting method, followed by hand-chasing to refine detail and the application of a chemical patina to achieve an oxidised finish.

How can one identify authentic 19th-century bronze castings?

Authentic 19th-century bronzes typically exhibit hand-chased surface details, natural patination in recessed areas, historical mounting techniques on the base, and significant weight consistent with solid casting.

How can a classical bronze statue be styled in a modern interior?

A dark bronze figure creates visual contrast when positioned on a mantelpiece, bookshelf, or console table alongside modern artwork, balancing traditional form with contemporary design.

How should an antique bronze figure be cleaned and preserved?

Dust the figure regularly with a soft dry cloth or soft-bristled brush, avoiding water or chemical polish that could strip the delicate patina; a light coating of microcrystalline wax can be applied periodically to protect the surface.

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Id #SA1017597

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Antique Large Bronze of Pan Dancing Musee De Naple,circa 1870 19th C

Name: Antique Large Bronze of Pan Dancing Musee De Naple,circa 1870 19th C
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1017597
Price: 2200 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Regent Antiques

Description

This is a large French Grand Tour bronze sculpture of Pan the Roman fertility God of the forest issued by the "Musee de Naple" , circa 1870 in date.

The sculpture features Pan dancing naked, he has horns, flowing hair and a tail. The statue rests on a rectangular bronze base with is signed "Musee de Naple".

The attention to detail is absolutely fantastic and the sculpture is extremely life-like.

Condition:

In really excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 53 x Width 22 x Depth 15

Dimensions in inches:

Height 1 foot, 9 inches x Width 9 inches x Depth 6 inches

Pan

The culture of Ancient Greece involved a complex spiritual world of major and minor gods that oversaw human events and engaged in dramas of their own. One of these, called Pan, ruled over nature and pasturelands. He is frequently depicted in literature and artworks. Although he is not one of the major gods of Ancient Greece, he is one of most often referenced figures in Greek mythology.

Pan the God of the Wild

Pan is considered to be one of the oldest of GREEK GODS. He is associated with nature, wooded areas and pasturelands, from which his name is derived. The worship of Pan began in rustic areas far from the populated city centers. Therefore, he did not have large temples built to worship him. Rather, worship of Pan centered in nature, often in caves or grottos. He ruled over shepherds, hunters and rustic music. He was the patron god of Arcadia. Pan was often in the company of the wood nymphs and other deities of the forest.

Pan’s Appearance

Perhaps because of his association with nature and animals, Pan did not have the appearance of a normal man. The bottom half of his body was like a goat, with the top half of his body being like other men. However, he is often depicted with horns on his head, and his face is usually unattractive.

Pan’s Lineage

The parentage of Pan is uncertain. Some accounts say he is the son of HERMES and Dryope. Others say he is the son of ZEUS or the son of Penelope, wife of Odysseus. The story of his birth says that his mother was so distressed by his unusual appearance that she ran away, but he was taken to Mount Olympus where he became the favourite of the gods.

Pan’s Powers

Like the other GODS OF OLYMPUS, Pan possessed enormous strength. He could also run for long periods of time and was impervious to injury. It was believed he could transform objects into different forms and was able to teleport himself from Earth to Mount Olympus and back. He is depicted as very shrewd with a wonderful sense of humour.

In Ancient Roman mythology, a SIMILAR GOD is called Faunus.

Pan and Music

The MYTHOLOGICAL STORIES involving Pan usually involve his romantic interest in a lovely goddess of the woods who spurns his advances and gets turned into an inanimate object to escape him or who otherwise flees from his ugly appearance. One story concerns Syrinx, a beautiful wood nymph. She flees from Pan’s attentions, and her follow goddesses turn her into a river reed in order to hide her from him. As the winds blow through the reeds, they make a gentle musical sound. Because he does not know which reed Syrinx is, he cuts several from reeds from the group and set them in a line to make the musical instrument, the pan flute. Pan’s image is often depicted with this instrument.

Pan Gave Humans the Word “Panic”

One story involving Pan is the tale of war, in which Pan helps his friend survive a vicious struggle by letting out an immense cry that frightened the enemy and caused him to run away. From this story, we get the word “panic,” the sudden, uncontrollable fear that leads people into irrational behavior.

Pan in the Modern World

Over the ages, Pan has been a symbol of the force of nature. In the 1800s, interest in this mythological figure revived,

Physical Dimensions

Height

53cm (20.87")

Width

22cm (8.66")

Depth

15cm (5.91")

Declaration

Regent Antiques has dated this Bronze Dancing Faun Sculpture to the 1870s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1017597

Dealers Internal Reference

A3528

Description

This is a large French Grand Tour bronze sculpture of Pan the Roman fertility God of the forest issued by the "Musee de Naple" , circa 1870 in date.

The sculpture features Pan dancing naked, he has horns, flowing hair and a tail. The statue rests on a rectangular bronze base with is signed "Musee de Naple".

fig 1. A dark patinated bronze figure depicting a dancing faun with raised hands standing on a stepped rectangular base. — fig 1. Antique Large Bronze of Pan Dancing Musee De Naple,circa 1870 19th C

The attention to detail is absolutely fantastic and the sculpture is extremely life-like.

Condition:

In really excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 53 x Width 22 x Depth 15

fig 2. A dark patinated bronze figure depicting a dancing faun with raised hands standing on a stepped rectangular base. — fig 2. Antique Large Bronze of Pan Dancing Musee De Naple,circa 1870 19th C

Dimensions in inches:

Height 1 foot, 9 inches x Width 9 inches x Depth 6 inches

Pan

“

The culture of Ancient Greece involved a complex spiritual world of major and minor gods that oversaw human events and engaged in dramas of their own.

Regent Antiques

One of these, called Pan, ruled over nature and pasturelands. He is frequently depicted in literature and artworks. Although he is not one of the major gods of Ancient Greece, he is one of most often referenced figures in Greek mythology.

fig 3. A dark patinated bronze figure depicting a dancing faun with raised hands standing on a stepped rectangular base. — fig 3. Antique Large Bronze of Pan Dancing Musee De Naple,circa 1870 19th C

Pan the God of the Wild

Pan is considered to be one of the oldest of GREEK GODS. He is associated with nature, wooded areas and pasturelands, from which his name is derived. The worship of Pan began in rustic areas far from the populated city centers. Therefore, he did not have large temples built to worship him. Rather, worship of Pan centered in nature, often in caves or grottos. He ruled over shepherds, hunters and rustic music. He was the patron god of Arcadia. Pan was often in the company of the wood nymphs and other deities of the forest.

fig 4. A dark patinated bronze figure depicting a dancing faun with raised hands standing on a stepped rectangular base. — fig 4. Antique Large Bronze of Pan Dancing Musee De Naple,circa 1870 19th C

Pan’s Appearance

Perhaps because of his association with nature and animals, Pan did not have the appearance of a normal man. The bottom half of his body was like a goat, with the top half of his body being like other men. However, he is often depicted with horns on his head, and his face is usually unattractive.

fig 5. A dark patinated bronze figure depicting a dancing faun with raised hands standing on a stepped rectangular base. — fig 5. Antique Large Bronze of Pan Dancing Musee De Naple,circa 1870 19th C

Pan’s Lineage

The parentage of Pan is uncertain. Some accounts say he is the son of HERMES and Dryope. Others say he is the son of ZEUS or the son of Penelope, wife of Odysseus. The story of his birth says that his mother was so distressed by his unusual appearance that she ran away, but he was taken to Mount Olympus where he became the favourite of the gods.

fig 6. A dark patinated bronze figure depicting a dancing faun with raised hands standing on a stepped rectangular base. — fig 6. Antique Large Bronze of Pan Dancing Musee De Naple,circa 1870 19th C

Pan’s Powers

Like the other GODS OF OLYMPUS, Pan possessed enormous strength. He could also run for long periods of time and was impervious to injury. It was believed he could transform objects into different forms and was able to teleport himself from Earth to Mount Olympus and back. He is depicted as very shrewd with a wonderful sense of humour.

fig 7. A dark patinated bronze figure depicting a dancing faun with raised hands standing on a stepped rectangular base. — fig 7. Antique Large Bronze of Pan Dancing Musee De Naple,circa 1870 19th C

In Ancient Roman mythology, a SIMILAR GOD is called Faunus.

Pan and Music

The MYTHOLOGICAL STORIES involving Pan usually involve his romantic interest in a lovely goddess of the woods who spurns his advances and gets turned into an inanimate object to escape him or who otherwise flees from his ugly appearance. One story concerns Syrinx, a beautiful wood nymph. She flees from Pan’s attentions, and her follow goddesses turn her into a river reed in order to hide her from him. As the winds blow through the reeds, they make a gentle musical sound. Because he does not know which reed Syrinx is, he cuts several from reeds from the group and set them in a line to make the musical instrument, the pan flute. Pan’s image is often depicted with this instrument.

fig 8. A dark patinated bronze figure depicting a dancing faun with raised hands standing on a stepped rectangular base. — fig 8. Antique Large Bronze of Pan Dancing Musee De Naple,circa 1870 19th C

Pan Gave Humans the Word “Panic”

One story involving Pan is the tale of war, in which Pan helps his friend survive a vicious struggle by letting out an immense cry that frightened the enemy and caused him to run away. From this story, we get the word “panic,” the sudden, uncontrollable fear that leads people into irrational behavior.

Pan in the Modern World

Over the ages, Pan has been a symbol of the force of nature. In the 1800s, interest in this mythological figure revived,