Antique Italian Grand Tour Bronze Sculpture “Disc Thrower” or Discobolus

GRAND TOUR
Italy, late 19th century

"The Discobolus" after Myron of Antiquity

Patinated bronze
Italy, circa 1840
Cast by A. Röhrich, Rome

21" H x 6 7/8" diameter [with base]
15" H [sculpture]

A patinated bronze model after Antiquity of the Greco Roman statue of The Discobolus believed to be completed by the sculptor Myron during 460-450 B.C, the original sculpture was lost but over the subsequent centuries many Roman copies have been found in both marble and bronze. One of the most famous examples is the Townley Discobolus which was acquired in 1794 by Charles Townley and was acquired as part of his entire collection by the British Museum in 1805.

This cast was executed by the foundry of A. Röhrich of Rome, a foundry active from the late 18th century through the first half of the 19th century and well-known for its execution of very fine reductions of ancient sculpture for the Grand Tour market. The base has the finely engraved signature of the foundry on the rim edge and also includes a projecting post that allows the sculpture to be rotated over the post it rests on over the original marble base. A fine presentation with careful chasing and chiseling of the textured elements.

Condition Report:
A well-preserved patina with typical rubbing wear and surface history, carefully cleaned in-house and sealed in conservator's wax for a fine presentation. Oxidization and speckling to the underlying patination. The neck of the disc thrower has old cracks that have been visually reduced with black wax; there is no weakness here or reason to restore; patch and pin visible in his upraised shoulder blade; worn chip to the edge of the black marble rim of the base.

ref. 512XLP18A