Marsyas, Italien, Ende 19. Jh., nach dem Modell von Antonio del Pollaiulo (ca. 1500, auch als Ignudo della Paura bekannt).

Bronze, Gießerei Vincenzo Gemini, Neapel.

Einen außergewöhnlichen Schatz stellt diese sehr seltene Statuette des Marsyas dar. Der vermutlich berühmteste Faun der griechischen Mythologie gilt als Erfinder der Aulos, der griechischen Doppelflöte. Zwei leicht gebogene Rohre, die nicht miteinander verbunden waren, wurden beim Spielen V-förmig gehalten. Abhängig von der Größe wurde das Flötenspiel durch eine Mundbinde unterstützt.

Antike Darstellungen des Marcia - Flötenspielers reichen bis in das 3. Jahrtausend vor Chr. zurück. Erste Nachgüsse der antiken Bronzen sind aus dem 15. Jahrhundert aus Florenz bekannt, sie wurden während der Renaissance sehr beliebt.                           

Die vorliegende Darstellung des Satyrs folgt einem Modell, das aus dem Umfeld des berühmten Renaissance Künstlers Antonio del Pollaiuolo (1433 – 1498) stammt und um 1500 gefertigt wurde. Neben der New Yorker Frick Kollektion besitzt das Fitzwilliam Museum ein ähnliches Exemplar dieses Typus.

Dieser Bronzeguss des „Marsyas“ wurde im 19. Jahrhundert von dem Neapolitanischen Bildhauer und Bronzegießer Vincenzo Gemito gefertigt.

Die filigrane Ausführung ist exzellent, die Bronze wurde im Wachsschmelzverfahren als verlorene Form ausgeführt, der Sockel ist angegossen. Hinter dem rechten Fuß des Satyrs befindet sich die geprägte Marke der „Fonderia Gemito Napoli“.

Höhe: 33,5 cm Gewicht: 2,8 kg

Vincenzo Gemito (1852-1929)

Der gebürtige Neapolitaner zählt zu den bedeutendsten Bildhauern und Zeichnern des späten 19. Jahrhunderts. Bereits sehr früh, mit neun Jahren, zeigte sich sein Talent als Assistent des Bildhauers Emanuele Caggiano. Als er mit sechzehn Jahren eine Skulptur in der Promotrice di Belle Arti in Neapel ausstellt, erweckt er das Interesse des italienischen Königs Viktor Emanuel II., der einen Abguss für seine Sammlung erwirbt. Als Fünfundzwanzigjähriger ist Gemito ein Star.

Zwischen 1877 und 1881 lebt und arbeitet er in Paris. Zurück in Neapel, beginnt er sich zunehmend für die antike Klassik zu interessieren.

1883 gründet er seine eigene Gießerei, die Bronzen im Wachsausschmelzverfahren fertigt.

(Quelle: Philadelphia Museum of Modern Art & Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art)

Marsyas, Italy, end of the 19th century, after the model of Antonio del Pollaiulo (ca. 1500, also known as Ignudo della Paura).

Bronze, Vincenzo Gemini foundry, Naples.

This very rare statuette of Marsyas represents an extraordinary treasure. Probably the most famous faun in Greek mythology, he is considered the inventor of the aulos, the Greek double flute. Two slightly bent pipes, which were not connected to each other, were held in a V-shape when played. Depending on the size, the flute playing was supported by a mouth bandage.

Ancient depictions of the marcia flute player date back to the 3rd millennium BC. The first replicas of the ancient bronzes are known from Florence in the 15th century, and they became very popular during the Renaissance. The present depiction of the satyr follows a model made around 1500 by the famous Renaissance artist Antonio del Pollaiuolo (1433 - 1498). In addition to the Frick Collection in New York, the Fitzwilliam Museum owns a similar example of this type.

This bronze casting of the "Marsyas" was made in the 19th century by the Neapolitan sculptor and bronze caster Vincenzo Gemito.

The filigree workmanship is excellent, the bronze was executed as a lost mould in the wax melting process, the base is cast on. Behind the right foot of the satyr is the embossed mark of the "Fonderia Gemito Napoli".

Height: 33,5 cm Weight: 2,8 kg

Vincenzo Gemito (1852-1929)

Born in Naples, he was one of the most important sculptors and draughtsmen of the late 19th century. His talent became apparent very early, at the age of nine, when he worked as an assistant to the sculptor Emanuele Caggiano. When he exhibited a sculpture at the Promotrice di Belle Arti in Naples at the age of sixteen, he aroused the interest of the Italian King Victor Emmanuel II, who acquired a cast for his collection. At the age of twenty-five, Gemito is a star.

Between 1877 and 1881 he lived and worked in Paris. Back in Naples, he became increasingly interested in the ancient classics.

In 1883 he founded his own foundry, producing bronzes using the lost-wax casting method.

(Source: Philadelphia Museum of Modern Art & Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art)

I enjoy beautiful things and it is my greatest pleasure to find them, to lure them into their stories, to spend time with them and then set them free again. Add to that a passionate interest in exceptional and high crafted objects. You surely know the exciting feeling when you see or experience something special, when the heart bounces in excitement and the joy inside it spreads. That's what I wanted more in my life and that's how this shop came about. The foundation stone was a study of literature and art history as well as cultural communication. Curiosity, thirst for knowledge and a lot of collaboration with amazing personalities in the art and design world are how I got myself to where I am today. Through antiquities, history becomes tangible in the literal sense, one can perceive it sensually. They calmly defy the constant change of fashions and the taste of the times. They are like a bridge between past and present. For me personally they are an inexhaustible source of inspiration. Some objects give up puzzles, lock themselves up; others quite frankly reveal their past. They radiate joie de vivre, astonish or enchant us; make a collector's heart beat faster or become good friends and a meaningful place in your lives. They may be bulky or controversial, but they are never boring. I believe the stories, the hands, and the tradition behind the objects are equally as important as their aesthetic qualities. Antique objects can adds so much value to your life, and I personally cannot imagine a home without it. Each piece in my shop has been thoughtfully and personally chosen. What unites them is their craftsmanship, care and attention to detail. Enjoy them.