Exquisite Gilt Bronze Roman Charioteer Chariot Barbeitos Lisboa Portuguese

Presented is a handsome Portuguese gilt bronze statue of a Roman charioteer, dating to around the 1910s-1930s. This is a fine quality piece emulating the subject matter of older Grand Tour pieces very faithfully. The charioteer wears only a loincloth and high-crested helmet, wielding a whip in one hand and the reins of two rearing horses in the other. The interior of the chariot is lined in stately red velvet, while the base is done in black stone with a beveled edge, giving the piece an overall very regal color scheme. The bronze is nicely cast and quite detailed, down to the texture of the horses' manes and the intricate scrollwork of the chariot itself, not to mention the ornate wheels and articulated lengths of chain, reins and whip. A very well executed piece. The bronze is signed Barbeitos, Lisboa on one wheel of the chariot. This piece is in excellent overall condition. There is some wear to the gilding, though in our opinion this gives the piece an attractive antiqued look. The