A griffin head with an elegant serpentine neck. He has an open beak and long pointed ears, with a ball and spike 'crest' adorning his brow.
This is a copy of an original dating to the 7th century BC which is currently in the museum at Olympia in the Western Peloponnese.
bronze griffin protome on a marble base (small)
dimensions
Height including his marble base: 13cmmore about griffins
Symbol of wealth and prosperity and guardians of prized possessions. The mythical griffin had powerful wings, the body of a lion and the beak of an eagle.
Griffins were sacred to Apollo, whose treasure they guarded. They are also associated with Dionysos, as the guardians of his ever-flowing supply of wine.
Bronze cauldrons set on tripods or conical stands were among the most spectacular votive gifts dedicated in Greek sanctuaries from the eighth to the sixth centuries BC. A cast bronze griffin head, called a protome, often formed part of the decoration of these cauldrons.
Over six hundred such bronze griffin heads are on display in museums all over the world. Many have been found at the sanctuary of Zeus at Olympia and at that of Hera on Samos.
about the bronze collection
The bronze pieces are cast in Greece using the traditional lost wax method. As nothing is mass-produced, there will inevitably be slight variations in texture, patina, and colour. No two pieces are ever the same. If mounted on a marble base, it will be a black or very dark grey base. There may be a variation of some millimetres in the dimensions of the base from time to time.
It's All Greek is proud to have been working with the Semitekolo family foundry since 1999. It has been a privilege to handle these gorgeous pieces and to sell them to customers all over the world.