Greek bronze patera handle in the form of a naked youth

Greek, 5th century BC
Height: 17 cm
Provenance: Private collection UK (N.E.), acquired prior to 1970, and thence by descent
 
The handle in the form of a nude kouros, hands raised to touch the elaborate palmette which sits atop the boy's head. His face is framed by a thick fringe, his hair, held by a band, falls down his back in serpentine waves. The figure stands with legs held close together, broken at mid shin. A palmette shaped fixing plate projects back with two holes for rivets to attach to the broad shallow dish which would have been used for libations.
 
Literature: For a complete patera with similar handle see David Gordon Mitten, Suzannah F. Doeringer, 'Master Bronzes from the Classical World' (Cambridge, 1967) pp. 82-83, no. 76. Also the exhibition catalogue 'Master Bronzes from the Classical World', Fogg Art Museum, USA, 1968, no. 76.
 
Exhibited: Antiquities and Postcards', Rupert Wace and John Kasmin, 1st - 22nd December 2017. 15739