The Flying Horse of Kansu Limited Edition Model
A bronze limited edition model of 'The flying horse of Kansu', Barry Learoyd (cast), circa 1973. Also known as 'The galloping horse Treading on a flying Swallow', after the original discovered in 1969 in the Han tomb of general Zhang of Zhangye, in bronze with green patina, with incised signature Learoyd '73, titled, numbered 61/250 and further stamped 'Morris Singer, Founders London' to the base, with accompanying framed statement signed by Barry Learoyd and a Hong Kong April 1978 exhibition catalogue with the horse on the cover. Height 13.78 in., width 18.50 in.
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- Bronze - An alloy of copper and tin, traditionally in the proportions of about 9 parts of copper to 1 part of tin.
The discovery of bronze in Western Asia in the 4th century enabled people to create metal objects which were superior to those previoulsy possible because of its strength and hardness, and it has been used throughout the world for weapons, coins, tools, statuary and other decorative items.
It is very fluid in a molten state, and its hardness, strength when set, and non-corrosive properties makes it most suitable for casting sculpture. - Incised - A record of a name, date or inscription, or a decoration scratched into a surface, usually of a glass or ceramic item with a blunt instrument to make a coarse indentation. Compare with engraving where the surface is cut with a sharp instrument such as a metal needle or rotating tool to achieve a fine indentation.
- Patination / Patina - In broad terms, patination refers to the exterior surface appearance of the timber, the effect of fading caused by exposure to sunlight and air over the course of a century or more, changing the piece to a soft, mellow colour.
As patina is very difficult to replicate, it is one of the most important guides to determining the age of furniture.
Patina is also the term applied to the bloom or film found on old bronzes due to oxidisation. - Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.
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