Ask About | Book Appointment - Boy With Thorn In His Foot / Spinario Miniature Bronze

“Boy with thorn in his foot / Spinario”,  miniature bronze, unmarked 19th century.  This subject was first carved in marble by the Ephesian * sculptor Agasias, circa 100 BC.  In the Renaissance era a bronze copy was commissioned by Charles I of England in 1631 by the French sculptor Hubert Le Sueur (c 1580-1658).  Le Sueur travelled to Italy to make moulds of antiquities to reproduce for the king **.  Other sculptors of this era have made models of this subject as well, including the Italian Severo Calzetta da Ravenna.  Souvenirs of “The Grand Tour”, were considered a cultural education of the British and Northern European elites that focused on classic Italian and Greek arts and architecture.

This miniature model is well executed and has the original patination in good condition.  An excellent choice for a desk or library.

3 5/8” (9.2cm) high, 2 5/8” (6.7cm) by 2 1/4” (5.7cm) at the base.

$995.

* Ephesus was part of Hellenistic culture and in present day is part of Turkey.

** The Royal Collection Trust has an excellent article on this subject. Click Here.