Morning dog sculpture of Naples, terracotta and cashmere pillow, 19th…

Superb fun and terracotta sculpture size of a Mastiff dog breed Naples.

This charming pooch is based on a large cushion, pompom four corners, cut in a cashmere shawl in the nineteenth century.

In perfect condition.

nineteenth century

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size of the dog: 79 cm long, 33 cm wide, 31 cm high

size of the cushion : 93 X 46 cm

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The history of Matins of Naples goes back to hound the inhabitants of Epirus (The Hounds) selecting dogs, which describes ... In 550 BC, king of Epirus gave one of his dogs to Cyrus, king of the Persians to fight the lion and the elephant.

It is found in the fourth century BC, from Grand Alexandrele to help him conquer the world. It is thought that came to Italy to the 1st century, where he soon would be used to guard. A contemporary observer, Columella, evokes a fearful dog always chosen to dark, to blend with the darkness. Circus games made him the perfect fighting dog against the beasts and gladiators, and was widely used by the legions, as dogs of war spreading terror in the enemy ranks.

The rich patricians found in him an adamant watchdog to protect their mansions in the countryside, especially around Naples. The term "morning" or "Mastino" is used in Italy in 1200, it comes from the Latin Mausuetus (tame), Dante says he is used to pursue the thieves, "Mastin agile to pursue the bandits," and in 1400 the description in fact a writer Florentin, Soderini, is eloquent: "There are mornings that big fat head, the neck is the third part of his person, gra ...

However, maintenance of these guards was expensive and formidable race dwindled to the point it almost disappeared. She was rescued by the Spanish, who came from Aragon, who occupied the kingdom of Naples from 1442 to 1713. They brought with them the famous "Perros de Presa" (dog-making), the mastiffs also very robust as they crossed with some mornings who lived in southern Italy, for the care of Mastineria (fortified farms) . Subjects products found various uses outside of the guard and they were seen used by the aristocracy, as hunting dogs for wild boar, or as dogs round by the private militias responsible for protecting neighborhoods.

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Additional Photographs on the site of the gallery:

Http: / / desarnaud-antiquaire.over-blog.com/article -sculpture-terracotta-morning dog-de-naples-XIX-century-62826725.html.