totally sounds like the kind of thing you might see in a sitcom.
Quick back of the envelope calculation says that 21"x28"x1" of bronze (if it were a solid plate, as opposed to a piece of art) would be around 175 pounds.
(I think I would have been inclined to lean it back and try to get most of the weight onto my head.)
That totally sounds like something I would do!
I think I saw that in a Three Stooges movie once, also Charlie Chaplin, also Peter Sellers, also Steve Martin and Chevy Chase.
You should have had the video. It has viral written all over it. Want to try it again?