Webberley Antiques has dated this piece to the 19th Century.
Many copies taken from moulds of the original Pompei statues and artifacts were cast by Italian Foundries throughout the 18th and 19th Century - and bought by tourists who embarked on the "Grand Tour" of Europe.
The process for gilding was extremely dangerous, involving a mix of mercury and very high Karat gold ground together and applied to the statue surface and then fired to evaporate the mercury - creating deadly fumes - and a process no longer employed of course.
The resultant figure has a pure gold layer hardened over the bronze and here it is in fine original condition with only minor rubs.
There is a small old repair (gilded and well blended) to a hole in the upper thigh of the raised leg about 3mm x 3mm and a fine scratch in the base about 3 cms long which has been filled and repaired. These probably occurred at the time of making - as was most common - and are small stable infills which have been gilded and are well blended and not noticeable.
A very impressive gilt bronze of a wonderful early Roman statue in fine original condition.
Webberley Antiques has dated this piece to the 19th Century.
Specialists in 18th century and earlier furniture for more than 45 years
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Large 19th Century Grand Tour Gilt Bronze of the Dancing Faun C.1890
