Ca. 100-300 AD.
A bronze protome of a beast. With a neck that curves with sinuous elegance, the creature exudes an air of quiet majesty, as if frozen in a moment of eternal contemplation. The visage, though diminutive in scale, with facial features carved with understated finesse, speaks of a deliberate restraint that heightens the enigmatic allure of the piece. The small head, bearing an open mouth, beckons the observer to venture into the realm of the mysterious. Its erect ears, finely rendered in bronze, convey an acute attentiveness. A protome is a term derived from ancient Greek, where "pro" means forward and "temnein" signifies to cut or carve. This nomenclature aptly captures the essence of this artistic and architectural concept, which refers to a sculptural or decorative motif that typically constitutes the frontal portion of a figure or creature, often featuring the head, neck, and part of the torso. Protomes were a recurring motif in the art of various civilizations, including ancient Greece, Rome, and beyond.
Size: L:70mm / W:24mm ; 96g
Provenance: Private London collection, pre-2000s.