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Subject:ancient filigree asian horseman?
Posted By: greg Sat, Jul 05, 2008 IP: 66.190.176.181

hi, ive googled till im bule in the face trying to find anything on this guy.He was on the shelf at good will and instantly i knew they screwed up.This guy is definatly old,old,old.How old i dont know.He weighs over 1 lb and is only 6" tall and 5 " long.He is composed almost entirely of tiny metal wires.The odd thing is I see absolutly no soldereing.There are no markings or signatures of any kind anywhere.No mold lines.The metal looks silver in some areas and brassy in others so im not sure what hes made of.You can see under the hundreds of fine wire that makes him up, is a coares black hard (almost like concrete made of sand) type core,and much of this black material is built up between the details on him.There is a crack on his neck,and with a loop i see hard black interior in the crack ,but looks like a stress crack made when he was made.It dosent go all the way around.My questions are,where is he from? Basically ,how old do you think he is,what kind of value should i place on him,what type of material and making method is he?Only things ive found on google that may be helpful are ,methods of filligree and ancient granulation, and imbricated(which is layering).I dont KNOW!someone please help me with some information.Greg







Subject:ancient filigree asian horseman?
Posted By: James Wilson Tue, Jul 08, 2008

Interesting figure. I am not sure of the origin, but my first impressions are India/Pakistan or possibly even Indonesian... I wish I could tell you more.

James

Subject:ancient filigree asian horseman?
Posted By: greg Wed, Jul 09, 2008

Thanks for the input.I really hope to find out all i can.Is there any other sites that may be helpful? greg

Subject:ancient filigree asian horseman?
Posted By: Mehmet Hassan Wed, Jul 09, 2008

Dear Greg,
it appears to be of very recent manufacture.
Mehmet

Subject:Re: ancient filigree asian horseman?
Posted By: Cal Thu, Jul 10, 2008

Take Mehmet's opinion as accurate.

Also is not 'filigree', which generally means very thin wires laid in complex patterns, usually gold, plain or gilt silver.

This is constructed of various molded pieces put together, possibly by brazing or welding, possibly laid into larger mold and some metal added.

Intended to look 'primitive' or 'crude', some people's idea of ancient. Reality is ancient bronze casting very sophisticated.

Good luck,
Cal

Subject:Re: ancient filigree asian horseman?
Posted By: Phillip Adams Tue, Jul 15, 2008

Greg,
This is an Indian folk bronze 20th century or later. "Horse and Rider" was a very popular subject. Unfortunately I do not know the significance or story behind this subject.
A few pieces made in this technique but of different subjects are to be found in Sotheby's catalogues of Indian, Khmer and Himalayan art in the early to mid 1980s. They tended to be catalogued as "Central Indian" without any dates being suggested.
Phillip Adams


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