Figure of a goat c. 9th century

This is a small bronze figure of a goat, likely dating back centuries, and made by an unknown artist. The method of production would have involved the lost wax process. First, a model of the goat would have been made in wax, then encased in clay and fired, melting out the wax and leaving a hollow space. Molten bronze was poured into this cavity, allowed to cool, and the clay broken away to reveal the form. The material itself, bronze, is an alloy of copper and tin. These metals would have been mined and smelted, processes involving significant labor, and reflecting trade networks. Bronze has a warm, earthy color, and a substantial weight, perfect for a sculpture like this, small in scale but monumental in effect. The green patina on the surface tells a story of time and burial. Consider that this object would have been highly valued, not only for the cost of the material, but also for the skill and labor involved in its creation, raising questions of economy and social status that challenge traditional notions of art history.