ID small metal figurine

Discussion in 'Metalware' started by Gianluca72, Oct 6, 2020.

  1. Gianluca72

    Gianluca72 Well-Known Member

    Hello friends,
    I would need your help identifying this small metal figurine.
    Understanding what is the represented subject, the material, the dating.
    I bought it on ebay, several years ago,
    when I was passionate about buying lots of objects from those sellers who proposed discovery material with the metal detector.
    If I remember correctly, it seems to me that it was full of dry soil, and I had removed it with hot water.
    I had never paid attention to it, today it begins to intrigue me.
    It's a small object, only 7 cm high.
    Given its size, it has a good weight, 75 grams.
    In the hand you can feel that it's a solid metal.
    Thanks for the replies.

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  2. Matt Johnson

    Matt Johnson Well-Known Member

    Hie!
    It appears to be gilded bronze.
    I believe oriental, somewhere fron Asia.
    Our subject is dancing, reminds me of something like this :

    IMG_20201006_173623_710.jpg

    I could be wrong of course, just my opinion
     
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  3. rink28

    rink28 Well-Known Member

    Being in the ground for awhile pretty much distorted the detail it once had. Looks interesting but can't help.
     
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  4. 2manybooks

    2manybooks Well-Known Member

    Do you remember if the seller said where it was found?
     
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  5. Gianluca72

    Gianluca72 Well-Known Member

    Several years have spent.
    If I remember correctly the seller shipped from UK.
    It seems to me that he did not specify the origin of the objects in the description, or I don't remember well
    It was a lot of mixed items, coins, this statuette, ancient buckles, etc.
     
  6. Matt Johnson

    Matt Johnson Well-Known Member

    Well it doesn't look like local UK stuff. It's certainly not roman, neither medieval. He probably got it from somewhere else.
     
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  7. Figtree3

    Figtree3 What would you do if you weren't afraid?

    Interesting to think about older items that were buried. I wonder whether @Any Jewelry has an idea of what the figure represents? Seems that the shape of the headdress is distinctive.
     
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  8. 2manybooks

    2manybooks Well-Known Member

    Last edited: Oct 7, 2020
  9. Gianluca72

    Gianluca72 Well-Known Member

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  10. Gianluca72

    Gianluca72 Well-Known Member

    Could this reading of a historical discovery provide a first answer?

    I am referring to the fact that could explain to us why an old Asian figurine was in the UK

    In Italian, I am sending you the screenshots translated into English.

    In practice, they found that the Roman Empire and the Chinese Empire had more interaction than many historians previously thought.

    Link in Italian
    https://lastoriaviva.it/un-cinese-nella-londinium-romana/

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    Last edited: Oct 8, 2020
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  11. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    I love it, Gian.
    You're right, it looks like he could be a Lokapala or Dharmapala (protector of the Buddhist faith). There are four protectors. Since it is his right hand that is raised, I think this one could be Virudhaka, who holds a sword in his right hand. The right hand with the sword is often raised (but not always).
    It is an interesting little fellow, maybe ask a museum?
    There are many ways an Asian figurine can end up in Europe btw, usually through trade.;)

    This hat comes closer, the top could have broken off:

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    https://collections.artsmia.org/art/84074/lokapala-guardian-king-one-of-a-pair-china

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    http://store.barakatgallery.com/product/tang-sculpture-of-a-lokapala-2/
     
    Last edited: Oct 8, 2020
  12. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Uhmm, wrong anatomy.:shame::playful:
     
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  13. Gianluca72

    Gianluca72 Well-Known Member

    Thanks AJ as always you are very useful with your answers :)
    From your point of view is it possible to date this object?
    I realize that attributing a century is very difficult, but in your opinion it dates back to the medieval age that goes from 476 AD. to 1492, or to the modern age starting in 1492 up to the contemporary one? :D
     
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  14. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Not for me, but if you ask a specialized museum department, they should be able to.:)
     
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  15. Gianluca72

    Gianluca72 Well-Known Member

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  16. 2manybooks

    2manybooks Well-Known Member

    It might have been much more significant if you knew exactly where it came from. As it is, it is a badly corroded figure with no provenance.
     
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  17. Gianluca72

    Gianluca72 Well-Known Member

    :wideyed::banghead::arghh:
     
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  18. Gianluca72

    Gianluca72 Well-Known Member

    So you mean it has no value?
    If so, how about if I clean it well so I bring out some details? :)
     
  19. 2manybooks

    2manybooks Well-Known Member

    I would suggest you follow up on @Any Jewelry's idea of finding a museum specialist in Asian art to take a look at it before you do anything to it. Cleaning a corroded gilded bronze is best left to a conservator.

    My comment about its significance was directed at its potential for historical importance, not just monetary value. For example, if you could document that it was found along Hadrian's wall in a Roman context, it could be interesting evidence of some sort of exchange with Asia at an early date. But without any context it can only be valued based on its condition, which is not very good.

    Even if it can be dated to an early period based on its style and materials, it is still in very poor condition.
     
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  20. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    No, please don't clean it.:nailbiting:
     
    Gianluca72 likes this.
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