XVIII CENTURY (?), Bronze shield. Inspired by archeological motifs.

Bronze. 35 x 46 x 9 cm

This rare and curious item depicts a scene Inspired by the classical world: Jupiter chasing Ganymede holding a rooster. It is a narration of the homosexual love by the greatest of the Gods for a beautiful youngster, who was recruited on Mount Olympus as cup-bearer.

Similar motifs can be found on clay artifacts, such as the attic vase in the Archeological Museum of Ferrara, depicting the same scene on the belly.
On the shield’s back, the handle which was used by the warrior to hold the shield.

The manufact is quite bulky, especially in the rear where the handles are welded with molten lead to the rough surface.

For these reasons this item is unlikely to have been made for theatre use: it was more likely designed as an artistic replica of an unknown ancient artifact.