Horse and rider startled by a snake

Italian, Venice or Padua

Not on view

As his horse paws the air, a shouting rider raises his spear (now lost) to impale a snake. The statuette’s three figures were cast separately and later assembled to form the group. In a demonstration of virtuosic technique, the weight of the rider and horse balances effortlessly on the twin points of the horse’s rear hooves. The rare subject of this exquisite bronze derives from a precious classical cameo (a gem carved in relief).

Horse and rider startled by a snake, Bronze, Italian, Venice or Padua

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