Unique Antique Painting - Any Information??

Hi,
New to this forum but I am a long time collector / hobby dealer specializing in automobilia. I acquired this painting a while ago and hoping that someone here might be able to provide information about how old it is, the artist, etc

The painting features a dog and hawk (or similar bird of prey). The hawk is over a shield with a spear / helmet and the dog appears to be attacking. It is a small piece (approx 4" by 12" and appears to be very finely done. Medium may be egg tempera on thin cardstock type paper (I am not an art expert). This does appear to have some age to it

I would really appreciate any insights and would love to learn more about it!

- Mike

 

The spear, shield, helmet, and eagle all look perhaps...Roman?

EDIT - the painting also contains another roman symbol, the fasces.

https://www.ancient.eu/Fasces/

 

The fasces is a Roman symbol but has been used by other cultures. It's associated with Fascism (to which it gave its name) but it's also a symbol of rightful power and authority. Think yours is a symbolic painting where the dog of war have been unleashed to fight unlawful bellicose forces. Or somethin' like that.

Debora

 

Very interesting! Thank you @aaroncab

 

Apologies, Aaron. Didn't read your comments before I posted. Didn't mean to repeat the information you provided.

Debora

 

@Debora Thanks as well! I've already learned so much. It's definitely a symbolic piece and it would be great to know the exact context

 

No worries, I'm just diggin up bits and pieces, and am far from an expert on things Roman, or things art!

 

So World War I perhaps? Eagle representing German?

Debora

 

The symbols of Imperial Rome with something like a jackal snapping at them. The eagle is Jupiter's bird; the device on the shield is his thunder & lightning. The spear, shield & helmet belong to Mars, god of war. It looks like it could have been the predella of a larger work. Reminds me of the work of Michelangelo Maestri.

 

Italian gouache; many works of different classical subjects show up from time to time. Souvenirs of grand tour type trips to Italy.

 

I note the fasces, symbol of strength in unity as well as legal power, is coming unbound, so perhaps a symbolic representation of the fall of Rome.

 

Huge thank you to everyone who has responded! Very much appreciated

@blooey I think that's exactly what this is - I've found a few others with similar style borders / sizes (though none of this subject)

 

I wonder if it might be a study for pietra dura or micromosaic. There's something naggingly familiar about it.

 

This bit (the predella)



goes below this




OP strikes me as the same sort of thing, I suppose because of the elongated shape & the animals.