BRONZE DOG

any ideas about this bronze dog
The dog is 6 inches long
The whole piece is 8 inches long
age
cast or hand made
type of dog
and what is in the dogs mouth
Thanks

 

It looks to me like a racing dog. Maybe a whippet? Is that thing in its mouth whatever they're set to chase?

 

To me, the images are a little to blurry to discern just WHAT the dog has in his mouth....sorry, unless you can get a clearer image!!

 

The dog looks cast and the base die stamped.

 

It looks more like something to govern the dog and/or keep it from biting. Wondering if it is not one of the rather ferocious old breeds of hunting dog, such as the alaunt.

 

I don't know what's in his mouth, but it seems to be a "thing":

https://www.chairish.com/product/386724/bronze-greyhound-whippet-figurine-by-pj-mene

And this one
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bronze-Greyhound-Dog-Sculpture-Marble-Base-Signed-/232680149949?_ul=AR

 

Probably either a whippet or an Italian Greyhound.

The object in its mouth looks like a type of 'scent article' for utility obedience training except for what appears to be a chain attached. A bit of a puzzle what the object is but certainly not a prey animal.

Here is an example of various shapes of metal scent articles (they also come in wood & leather):

 

Maybe to help get it back out of the mouth & hang it up?

 

Perhaps if it is being used as an antique/vintage 'training' scent article. Modern articles would never have a chain (that I'm aware of).

If it is a governor it would need a head harness to keep it in place.

 

Most of these greyhound bronzes have a riding crop in the mouth.

here's a decent pic and description

https://www.antiques-atlas.com/antique/bronze_greyhound__whippet_figurine_after_mene/as836a015

 

or maybe this one has his own tail in his mouth as he seems to be missing his tail

So maybe not riding crop but tail crop?

Seriously though, even though the pics are not too good, it looks like it could be a muzzle? On second thoughts, definitely a riding crop.

 

yup....whippet.....and whip !

 

Some sculptures say whip or crop...

 

whip it ...whip it good!

 

Don't bother with "copy image location" from Ruby L*ne...

Copy and paste works fine

 

Cool track blooey, I'm havin that one

 

If it's like my lurcher it could be anything from a bedspring to a corkscrew in its mouth. Totally random what takes its fancy!

 

Best answer!

 

HOW CAN YOU TELL IF IT IS CAST OR HAND MADE

 

the original hand made sculpture...was likely made of wax.
it would have then been used to make a mold...
molten bronze would then be poured into the mold.... making what you have here..
no one ever carved something like this out of a block of solid bronze..