Samson Fighting Two Philistines
The anonymous sculptor of this little figure group drew his inspiration from a design by Michelangelo for an unrealized marble destined for the Piazza della Signoria in Florence. Small-scale figures after his design circulated in many materials, including the ivory version by Paul Heermann displayed alongside this piece. This small version, suitable for a Kunstkammer, is based on Heermann’s group. Samson is missing his raised right arm.