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Fonderia Artistica Chiurazzi Arrotino (Knife Sharpener) Fonderia Chiurazzi Life-size Bronze Bust SculptureEarly 20th Century
Early 20th Century
$9,500
£7,234.05
€8,329.81
CA$13,462.34
A$14,480.67
CHF 7,738.89
MX$170,685.82
NOK 97,569.27
SEK 89,196.83
DKK 62,237.78
About the Item
Grand Tour Bronze Bust of the Arrotino (Knife Sharpener)
Chiurazzi Foundry, Naples, Italy
Early 20th Century
This exceptional Grand Tour bronze bust represents the celebrated Arrotino (Knife Sharpener) after the antique bronze in the Tribune of the Uffizi Gallery, Florence. Cast in Naples in the early 20th century by the renowned Chiurazzi Foundry, the work exemplifies the highest standards of historical fidelity, sculptural vitality, and technical refinement for which the foundry is internationally revered.
In classical mythology, the Arrotino is shown sharpening his knife in preparation to flay the satyr Marsyas, who dared to challenge the gods to a flute competition. Defeated for his hubris, Marsyas was bound and condemned to have his skin removed. This moment—quietly charged with tension and impending violence—is what gives the Arrotino its extraordinary psychological depth. The figure is not triumphant, but intent and focused, absorbed in the act that precedes divine punishment.
Chiurazzi assembled one of the largest and most accurate collections of molds ever created, many taken directly from original antiquities. This privileged access allowed the foundry to produce bronzes of remarkable precision—often without peers—and explains why major institutions such as the Getty Villa and The Ringling Museum placed significant orders with Chiurazzi to complete their museum collections. The present bust is a masterful example of that tradition, combining scholarly accuracy with expressive realism.
A particularly rare and compelling feature of this sculpture is the dramatic forward extension of the head, creating a lifelike, less static posture that engages the viewer directly and heightens the narrative tension of the myth. Equally unusual is the structural solution at the reverse: the bust is supported by sculptural wings, an uncommon and highly decorative element that adds visual interest and reinforces the sense of movement and drama.
The bronze displays exceptional surface quality, with finely modeled facial features, sensitively articulated hair, and a rich, naturally aged patina. The work is signed and sealed by the Chiurazzi Foundry, confirming its authenticity and historical importance.
Rarely found in bust form, this museum-quality bronze stands among the finest Grand Tour interpretations of antiquity. It is a best-in-class work—historically accurate, sculpturally powerful, and visually arresting—ideal as a commanding focal point in both classical and modern interiors.
- Creator:Fonderia Artistica Chiurazzi
- Creation Year:Early 20th Century
- Dimensions:Height: 22 in (55.88 cm)Width: 10 in (25.4 cm)Depth: 10 in (25.4 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:Palm Beach, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2927217510172
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