PURCHASED IN A MADISON AVE. NYC ANTIQUE SHOP IN THE 1950'S, this wall plaque shows a barechested muscular youth dressed in a Grecian-style tunic skirt. He rests his well-defined arms on his knees. He plays a double flute with both hands.
He sits on a decorated low bench. On the floor to his right is a woven basket with handles. The lid of the basket is partially open.
On the floor next to his outstretched right leg is the coiled snake who seems to be mesmerized by the music the youth is playing. The snake's mouth is wide open and it's forked tongue is outstretched.
The youth is wearing exotic open sandals with long laces that reach up his calves. At the toe, the sandals end in a prominent curl.
The youth's head has strong, well-delineated features: strong nose and left eye and eyebrow, and a prominent ear.
One can clearly see his long hair swept back on his muscular neck, held down with a head band. Attached to te head band is a long earflap that hangs below his chin.
On his forehead, his hair ends in a long curl that protrudes beyond his nose.
Take special note of the youth's left ear: it is slightly raised and catches light.
The reverse side of the plaque clearly shows the outline of the youth's body showing the depth of the relief. This unusual work shows the skill of the metallurgist who created it.
The square plaque has a deep rim around all four sides The youth's head touches the top rim and his left foot rests on the bottom rim.
In all my years as a collector and dealer in unique and fascinating antique and vintage pieces, this metal plaque stands out for its mysticism and originality.
The artist clearly signed his name- SILVIO FORLIVESI on the right side. It is difficult to capture the signature in a photo, but it is clearly etched and visible to the viewer's eye.
DIMENSIONS: 5 5/8" X 6"
Pamela Haft. Happy Endings Antiques