"Dating to the 1st-2nd century A.D., the bronzes are about 20 inches long and mounted to rectangular bases. They capture the little girls in dynamic movement, frozen in the act of propelling themselves forward, their fingers splayed wide on each side of the partridges just about to catch them. The craftsmanship is superior, every detail on the toddlers and partridges realistically depicted with fine materials. The eyes are inlaid with white stones and one of the girls still has her metal irises."
"Surviving Roman bronze sculptural groups, especially a matched set of exceptional craftsmanship complete with their original inlays and bases, are exceedingly rare. While genre statues featuring young children playing, often with pets or birds, were popular decorative objects in the homes of wealthy Romans, this particular motif of girls chasing partridges is very uncommon. The pair were much-publicized highlights of Christie's Antiquities Sale in New York on December 5, 2012."
The bronzes date to the 1st–2nd century A.D., measure about 20 inches, and sit on rectangular bases. The pair depicts toddler girls diving to seize partridges, captured in dynamic motion with fingers splayed ready to grip. The works display superior craftsmanship with realistic detailing, inlaid white-stone eyes, a metal iris on one figure, sheet-bronze eyelashes, delicately draped gowns, and finely delineated partridge feathers. Matched Roman bronze groups with original inlays and bases are exceedingly rare, and the motif of girls chasing partridges is uncommon. The bronzes entered high-profile markets, appearing at Christie’s in 2012 with purported Giovanni Zust provenance.
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