French Solid Cast Bronze Figure of the Greek God Pan
A French Solid Cast Bronze Figure of the Greek God Pan Blowing a Conch Shell Whilst Holding Another his Ears Sharply Pointed Two Projecting Horns Sprouting from his Forehead Wearing a Lion Skin Standing on a Rockwork Flower Strewn Base
Traces of brown lacquer over a gilt bronze patina
18th Century
Size: 27cm high - 10½ ins high
Traces of brown lacquer over a gilt bronze patina
18th Century
Size: 27cm high - 10½ ins high
Greek legend makes Pan the son of Hermes and a favourite of Dionysus, the fertility god. Born in Arcadia, the pastoral state in the centre of the Peloponnese, he haunted caves and lonely rural places. He was playful and energetic, but irritable especially if disturbed during his afternoon sleep. He could inspire fear, a sudden groundless fright, in both men and animals. By blowing on a conch shell he created panic when Zeus led the gods against Kronos and the Titans. He enjoyed chasing nymphs, especially Echo.
In France in the 17th and 18th centuries intimate small scale bronze statuettes, usually of mythological or allegorical subjects, were made for collectors to admire and study in their ‘cabinet’.
In France in the 17th and 18th centuries intimate small scale bronze statuettes, usually of mythological or allegorical subjects, were made for collectors to admire and study in their ‘cabinet’.
French Solid Cast Bronze Figure of the Greek God Pan
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