An Etruscan Bronze Cista Handle, 4th/ 3rd Century B.C.

in the form of two nude youths carrying the body of a companion, each figure with head turned to the left, one leg advanced slightly before the other, and freely engraved hair, the rectangular plinth with beaded edges and remains of three rivets for attachment.

Mrs. Henry Walters
Joseph Brummer, New York, inv. no. N5023, acquired from the above on March 15th, 1941
Vladimir G. Simkhovitch, New York, Professor of Economic History at Columbia University and art collector, acquired from the above on December 10th, 1942
Monroe Wheeler (1899-1988), Trustee and Director of Exhibitions and Publications at the Museum of Modern Art (1940-1967), member of the Grolier Club, and companion of the novelist Glenway Wescott from 1919 to 1987
Anatole Pohorilenko (1943-2014), author, anthropologist, and companion of Monroe Wheeler

Good and as shown, minor surface wear, nicks, dents, and abrasions, surface slightly eroded and encrusted in places, the youth on the left has an ancient abraded area on the proper right cheek and jaw. The face of the youth on the right has imperfections most visible under magnification.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
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Cf. D.W. Murphy, The Praenestine Cistae Handles, Würzburg, 2001, no. 5003, pl. 36 (Copenhagen, inv. no. H.241.HIN43) for a closely related handle. The author writes (p. 5) in regard to the Copenhagen example that “the ‘deadness’ of the body is shown with varying degrees of success. In some cases no effort is made; a standing figure is merely shown horizontally.”
For other cista handles close in style, but all comprising two figures rather than three, see D.G. Mitten and S.F. Doeringer, Master Bronzes from the Classical World, Mainz on Rhine, 1967, nos. 204, 208 and 210.