Reproduction of an Ancient Roman Handle 

A fantastic bronze ewer handle, a reproduction of an ancient Roman example, perhaps by the illustrious firm of Chiurazzi or else a rival foundry.
The top of the handle which would have attached to the ewer’s rim is cast with tethered goats heads, a foliate design winds its way down the handle to a fine and deeply defined head of Madusa with writhing sea creatures, wings above the head and dolphins beneath.

Italian circa 1880.

w:7 inches x h:8 inches

The sculptor and engraver, Gennaro Chiurazzi, established his foundry in Naples in 1870. Such was his rapidly gained reputation that he was permitted by the Italian government unprecedented museum access in order to make plaster molds directly from original ancient masterpieces. The resulting Master Mold Archive of over 1650 master moulds was acquired by the Archaeological Park of Pompeii in order to preserve this invaluable historical record.