A Monumental Brucciani Cast of the Discophoros, 19th Century

A large and highly atmospheric nineteenth-century plaster cast of the Discophoros (Discus Bearer), after the celebrated classical model attributed to Polykleitos.

Produced by the renowned London firm D. Brucciani & Co., whose workshop supplied casts to leading institutions including the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Royal Academy of Arts, as well as to art schools and academies across Europe and America throughout the nineteenth century.

This example retains the impressed stamp “D. Brucciani & Co., London” to the base and is notable for its impressive near life-size scale, standing 162 cm high (64 inches). Casts of this size were typically produced for academic study or for serious nineteenth-century collections of classical sculpture.

The figure stands in contrapposto, embodying the balanced proportions and restrained naturalism associated with the Polykleitan canon. Now fragmentary and lacking the head and arms, the sculpture has acquired a striking archaeological character, closely resembling the condition in which many ancient marbles survive.

The surface displays a beautifully time-softened patina, with areas of wear and handling consistent with age and studio use, contributing to its sculptural presence and depth.

A powerful and decorative example of a Victorian museum cast, combining scale, provenance and strong architectural presence. 

England, mid–19th century

Height: 162cm (64 inches)

Width: approx 80cm (31 inches)