UNSIGNED MYSTERY HORSE BUST

For more than 30 years I have been trying to identify the creator of this bronze horse bust, but haven't been able to find anyone who has ever seen it before. It stands 16 inches without the base and weighs 14 pounds. Any ideas? Thank you!

 

Welcome to Antiquers, @Autodidact --

Interesting horse. People will want more photos, including the bottom of the base. And this is made of metal?

Does a magnet stick to it?

 

Thanks for the question.
No, they don't. The only thing I've been able to learn about this bust was from a kind sculptor who told me it is most likely silicon bronze with a patina base of liver of sulpher with copper nitrate sprayed on with heat, then waxed.

The base is wood. We removed it to look inside the bust for a mark. We also checked beneath the muzzle, behind the ears, and in the grooves along the mane, but no mark was found.
Other than knowing it was created before the mid 1980's when I purchased it, I'm clueless as to who created it or where and when.

 

Thank you! That info will help others who may have more knowledge about this sort of thing. I like it!

 

Welcome, Autodidact. Shades of "Equus!!"

 

Nice piece

 

Thanks!

 

Thank you!

 

Fantastic lines ! Id guess 1950s,but the composition throws me. Silicon ?

 

Welcome to the Forum, Autodidact!
What country was this purchased?

 

Looks like it's a Greek/Trojan themed piece,there have been may made over the years... https://www.google.com/search?q=tro...hAhUKbawKHWV1DzIQ9QEwAHoECAkQBA#imgrc=_&vet=1

 

The foundries put silicon into the copper and tin mix to help the metal flow.
Most have their own recipes I believe. I don’t know about the copper nitrate it’s usually copper sulphate you use to get the green colour.

 

Silicon bronze is a bronze with2-3% silicon that is resistant to corrosion.

 

I may have misquoted the sculptor there. My memory for details isn't quite what it once was.

 

It was purchased in north Georgia in the good old USA.

 

I must be screwing up somewhere. I thought I had already posted this reply, but I may have done so in the wrong place.
It was purchased in north Georgia, USA.

 

It’s fine, got it.

 

I don't know what it is but I like it

 

Modern - both from alloy and lack of any surface changes. Appears to be a modern interpretation of a Greek sculpture, though, just on style. The stylized mane - except for the space, looks quite Greek. (Persian horses, for example, frequently have braided manes). As does the narrow face - but if were made after 1898, it should have clear markings indicating its national origin. Very pretty though!