J. CHIURAZZI (Foundry, founded ca. 1870), Perseus with the head of Medusa

bronze, chiseled casting, patinated; height: 103 cm;
Signed on back: "CHIURAZZI / NAPOLI" and circular foundry stamp.
Italy, Naples, 4th quarter of the 19th century.
The figure of the mythical hero - naked, wearing the helmet of Hades providing invisibility and the winged sandals of Hermes. With his left hand he lifts up the severed head of Medusa, in his right hand he holds a sword. Underfoot - the body of the slain Gorgon.
The sculpture is the author's repetition of the famous work by Benvenuto Cellini (1500-1571), the original of which is presented in Florence, in the Loggia dei Lanzi. Chiurazzi's Perseus is more slender, differing in some details from Cellini's Mannerist statue; however, it is placed on the same tall, four-walled pedestal, with niches housing scenes alluding to the Greek myth of Perseus' adventures.
Among other things, the CHIURAZZI foundry has made excellent replicas and copies of ancient sculptures.