English Ivory Carving of a Greyhound ‘Canis Cursorius’
A Fine English Ivory Carving of a Greyhound ‘Canis Cursorius’ on a stepped base
Very fine condition and patina
Circa 1820 – 1830
Size: 5.5cm high, 13cm wide, 7.5cm deep – 2¼ ins high, 5 ins wide, 3 ins deep
Very fine condition and patina
Circa 1820 – 1830
Size: 5.5cm high, 13cm wide, 7.5cm deep – 2¼ ins high, 5 ins wide, 3 ins deep
Known in medieval Europe as ‘sight dogs’ and to the ancient Egyptians as ‘gaze hounds’, greyhounds are more than usually able sighted and it is thought that their long attenuated muzzle is an aid to vision. Where there existed enormous areas of sand and there was no shelter of any sort, the greyhound hunted not by scenting its prey, or by digging it out, or by alerting man with its cries, but by its ability to run incredibly fast to catch the prey.
Greyhound’s were a popular breed of dog in ancient Greece; a bell shaped Krater of the 3rd century BC shows an ancestor of the present day greyhound looking interestedly on a classical scene.
Greyhound’s were a popular breed of dog in ancient Greece; a bell shaped Krater of the 3rd century BC shows an ancestor of the present day greyhound looking interestedly on a classical scene.
English Ivory Carving of a Greyhound ‘Canis Cursorius’
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