Posted 10 years ago
fairygrand…
(3 items)
G'day from Down Under,
I found this beautiful leather bottle while op-shopping, it cost me a whole $15 and I could barely hide my joy at such a discovery. The shop assistant said that it had been gathering dust there for at least 8 months so obviously no-one in my town had a clue as to what it was!
When I got home I googled it but couldn't find any details. So I put it on an antique lovers facebook page and this is the reply I had:
Leather-covered Mythical leather-covered bottle:
www.theblackcatcloset.com/item_7153/Vintage-Greek-Mythology-Medusa-Leather-Whiskey-Bottle.htm
Quote from site: “This is a Vintage glass liquor covered in genuine leather. Most likely from the 1960's. It is four sided with a different depiction from Greek Mythology on each side. One side depicts Perseus cutting off the head of Medusa. One side shows the 'Three Graces'. One side shows a hooded man, not sure who this is. Lastly, we have one side with a naked God, most likely Zeus.” “Measures 11 inches tall."
So, now I am trying to find out the origin and history of my little find! I have found a few leather covered bottles on ebay which come from either Italy or Spain but no mythological patterns to be found.
Can anyone identify the hooded man/hermit from Greek mythology?
Any assistance in locating any history or origin of this item would be greatly appreciated.
I would peg it as being a souvenir from Florence, Italy.
T A
I would agree entirely with TA - most likely of Italian origin. - That is not Zeus - he was an old guy with a beard and probably didn't look so good naked - I would more assume it to be Hermes or Adonis
It's David as depicted by Michelangelo and Cellini’s Perseus statue, both are in Florance...
T A
Botticelli painted La Primavera, "The Three Graces", also in Florence. Not sure of the remaining side, kinda has that Medici look about him.
T A
Thank you all for your replies, I do appreciate the help. I will repost as suggested, unfortunately at the time that I posted this my computer internet was not working and I had to rely on my mobile. In saying that I am only able to take pictures with my mobile but hopefully they are a lot clearer as they were taken in daylight this time around. I apologise if this is not up to the normal standard of this forum and will try my best to do better in the future,
Michelle.