Etruscan Metalwork: Bronze vessel foot

Inv. No.: 82.022
Provenance: Etruria (ex collection Dr H. A. Fawcett)
Height: 141mm
Width: 93 mm (maximum)

A bronze foot from a vessel in the shape of a naked female bust with outstretched wings, arising from a palmette set on a feline lower leg and foot that in turn is placed on a hoof-like base. The figure is a composite mythological creature with most affinity to a siren or sphinx. The head and the leg with its foot are solid while the torso is hollow at the back. A strut juts out below the head, between the outstretched wings, providing one attachment point. As well, there is a centrally placed hole set at the level of the claws that connects with the hollow under surface of the hoof. This is probably modern since it is used to mount the piece, which is in very good condition with a fine green patina over most of the surface plus some dark red.

Function:
A decorative foot for a bronze vessel.

Manufacture:
Cast using a mould with additional incised decoration.

Decoration:

1. The head has coarse, flattened features with hair arranged in curls across the top of the forehead, in front of a diadem. Strands of hair hang beside the face and neck and then curl around and finish at breast level on each side.
2. The outstretched wings curl around at the ends and point inwards. They are decorated with an incised pattern suggesting feathers, shorter and overlapping near the sides of the figure, longer towards the ends of the wings. Each "feather" has short oblique lines filling the space on either side of a central incised line.
3. The torso is bare revealing breasts with dots used to suggest nipples. A mantle hangs down each side, concealing the join of body and wings. A horizontal zig-zag pattern set between horizontal lines decorates the chest, above the breasts.
4. The palmette consists of a central leaf with relief midrib and decorative grooves. There is a petal on each side at the top that curls around and out. A groove runs along the top edge of each petal.
5. The feline leg is rounded at the back and is formed into three facets at the front. Four claws are evident with a hole between the central pair.
6. The hoof-like base has a slightly flaring profile and is slightly grooved in the middle.

Bibliography:
Antiquities, Charles Ede catalogue, 124 (July 1982), No. 23.

Brown, D., "Bronze and Pewter", Roman Crafts, eds. D. Strong and D. Brown, New York, New York University Press, 1976, 25-41.

Hanfmann, G. M. A., "Etruscan Bronzes" in D. G. Mitten and S. F. Doeringer, Master Bronzes from the Classical World, Mainz on Rhine, Philipp von Zabern, 1967, 149-153.

Comparanda:
Lamb, W., Greek and Roman Bronzes, London, Methuen, 1929, Pl. XCV, b (pail from Pompeii with feet that are similar; 1st century BC).

Mitten, D. G. and S. F. Doeringer, Master Bronzes from the Classical World, Mainz on Rhine, Philipp von Zabern, 1967, No. 222 (basin with griffin feet, c. 3rd century BC).

Ward-Perkins, J. and A. Claridge, Pompeii A D 79, New York, Alfred A. Knopf (in association with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston), 1978, No. 154 (bronze apparatus for heating liquids with similar siren feet supporting the tray).