Buildings Are Our Story
Grand Tour Architecture
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My Collected Buildings Of The Grand Tour
The Grand Tour Tourists did not invent souvenirs but they arguably established a new bar to the art of travel collecting. Some of the finest miniatures ever made came form this time period and many of those works in Bronze, Marble, and Alabaster are still with us today.
Highlights on this shelf include an alabaster Temple of Vespasian, the Marmo Rosso Lateran obelisk, and a commemorative of Cleopatra’s needle in London.
This sideboard holds a Huge 33" tall pair of Marcus Aurelias & Trajan's' Columns; a representation of those two Emperors on a 22" fluted column; and a c 1900 Siegessaule Monument from Berlin.
A very VERY rare Fontaine du Palmier in Paris C. 1850. Made in the shop of and signed internally by Henri Picard. Likely a presentation peice upon the reconstruction of the fountain.
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A wonderful French gilt bronze column with Egyptian motifs, to the left is a pair of Marcus and Trajan Columns under glass.
L -> R Pyramid of Casius, A huge Freres La Blanc Arc de Triomphe, and a 5.5" Alabaster Pantheon in front of a 12" leaning tower.
Behind the Pyramid is a bronze model of the Holy Door, flanked by the Medici Tomb’s statues of Dusk & Dawn, & a micro mosaic Crucifix.
L->R Very Rare 14" Alabaster Griottos Campanelle, Pietra Dura Ashford Black Obelisk behind a carving of St Ceilia the incorruptable.
Franz Bergman cold painted bronze inkwell in the form of the great pyramid complete with tomb robbers. 6" square by 5" tall, c.1889.
Very Rare 14" tall alabaster carving of Griottis' Campanella in Florence c 1840's. condition is remarkable.
Built between 18 and 12 BC, the pyramid tomb of Roman Governor Caius Cestius. The inscription reads “Caius Cestius, ... tribune of the people, septemvir of the epuloni.”
Various reductions of the Vendome or Austerlitz Column from 11" - 16.5" tall and from c. 1833 - 1890 l->R
Pair of Marmo Rosso fluted Columns - 24" from a shop in Rome, Bronze figures have been replaced. Phocas and Marcus Aurelius'
A French gilt bronze Egyptian Column to the left of three sizes of carved St. Johns ' Baptistry at Pisa
Franz Bergman variation of the Great Pyramid finished in a bronze patina/ Measures 4" square by 3" tall and signed by the foundrery.
Large 12" tall alabaster carving of St Johns' Baptistery in Pisa. Condition is very good, fron a New Orleans estate.
The sarcophagus of Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus, Roman consul and victor over the Etruscans. C 1840, Sienna Marble
Set of 12" gilded bronze columns. Marcus Aurelius (R) & Trajan (L). Made in Italy C 1870
A matched Pair of 26" tall Paris monuments from the foundry of Le Blanc Freres. The Vendome Column on the left and the Luxor Obelisk on the right. aka Napoleons Column & Cleopatras Needle.
Not in my collection but a magnificent set of Roman Forum Ruins rendered in Marmo Rosso.
The Palm Fountain on center, on the left a 17" July Column, and a 15" Luxor Obelisk on the right in front of an 18" Vendome Column.
Five graduated sizes of the Temple of Hercules, aligned before the Temple of the Syblil and a bronze Capoline Wolf.
On the left is an 18" tall copy of Napoleons Column and on the right is a set of 3 Pietra Dura obelisk of Ashford Black set in the "Crazy Pavement" Pattern.
This solid bronze reduction of the "holy Door of St. Peters Basillica is believed to have been the top plate of a wall mounted holywater font.
Three alabaster carvings of the Baptistery at Pisa. L->R 5.5" tall, 8" tall, & 5.5" tall
Three sienna Marble Pantheons. 2,5" tall - 4" tall - 5.5" tall. Behind is the Jennings cast bronze Tomb of Scipio bookends.
Napoleons'' Column in Vendome 18" tall c1830's. To the left is the July Column in the large size 18" version.
The Marcus Aurelius and Trajan's Columns. The Marcus Column has undergone extensive restoration. Trajan's Column with loss to the plinth and capitol, which have been in-filled with black marble silloettes of the original parts.
Reduction Replicas of the Vendome Column
From: Southeastern College Art Conference Review (Vol. 16, Issue 4)
Publisher: Southeastern College Art Conference Review
Article Preview
The reduction replica of the Vendome Column (also known as the Austerlitz Column or as the Column of the Grand Army) in Paris, examined here, was much more than just a simple souvenir bought by some foreign traveler making a Grand Tour sweep through Europe. Its buyer, actually, returned home with a miniature copy of a famous monument that was layered with a variety of metaphoric messages--historical, political, and social--that addressed peculiarly nineteenth-century concerns. Additionally, this architectural model made its own intrinsic statements concerning several of the underlying qualities that distinguished that transitional century.
...Our present focus is upon the architectural model of the Vendome Column and what it has to say about France in the age of Napoleon and about the nineteenth century in general. Before attempting that task, however, it first would be beneficial to examine the physical features of this bronze reduction, to explore the complex story of the actual monument standing today in the Place Vendome, and then to consider changes in attitude about Napoleon during the nineteenth century, as well as the meaning and significance of the Grand Tour concept.
The Nash Reduction
When Captain Nash purchased his miniaturized rendition of the Vendome Column in 1838 he probably was given the choice of several different versions and sizes Judging from the frequency of their appearance on the market today these miniature columns were enormously popular with travelers in search of Napoleonic memorabilia or Grand Tour souvenirs. The models, generally, were cast in bronze and came attached to a marble base (usually black but also available in rose, white, or variegated marble). They could be purchased by the well-heeled traveler in a rather showy gold gilt version but more often were offered with either a brown or a dark green patinaed finish. These miniature replicas of the Vendome Column were cast in a variety of sizes, ranging in height from 8 1/4 inches up to almost 6 feet. In the Nash example, the column, including pedestal and statue measures 13 1/4 inches and is attached to a one-inch high black marble base. The artisans who made these replicas, unfortunately, remain totally anonymous. The models were cast at a number of different French foundries, ranging from the well-known Le Blanc Freres, Soyer & Inger, to the obscure. Captain Nash's column bears the name of Massin, a previously unknown metal foundry. Although intended for library table or desk, where the small-scale versions could serve as distinctive paperweights or mantle garnishments.
END OF PREVIEW
I found this bit of research and thought it was a worthwhile introduction to my own diatribe to follow. I think I can add to the placement list of columns to coffee tables and lamp conversions. These were not mentioned above as The Georgians did not have coffee tables, and electric lamps were many years down the road yet. I never considered lamp conversions until I happened upon my first a couple of years ago. It was being auction off as a 1930’s brass lamp in a relatively small auction. It was indeed a product of the 30’s based on the wiring hardware, but they completely missed that the 30’s lamp was built on a 165 year old antique! I won the auction for an embarrassingly low price and was delighted how easy it was to reverse the vandalism and restore the column. When I came upon my second find I knew for sure what I was looking at and noted the auction on my calendar.
I had some small competition but won a very fine 18” tall column for about 30% of market value. When it arrived I noticed again that the lamp bases seemed to be in better condition than the more traditionally displayed pieces it came from. I have since concluded that in the guise of a lamp people tend not to move, handle, harshly clean or otherwise molest the ones that are seen as lamps rather than decorator items. That made sense when you think about how infrequently we handle any household lamp? When I came across my third find I was very excited.
My third find was not just a column but a matched pair of Paris monuments; the Vendome Column and the Luxor Obelisk. Of course a pair is 75% better than a single, and this particular pair had the added benefit of being 26” tall! They were for sale in an overseas antique shop and were being advertised as 20% off. My best guess was that anything that size would be signed by a good maker, and if so the current offered price was about 45% of a market value for such a pair. The condition looked good in the pictures but the actual condition and the provenance were both still “ifs”; and so the negotiation began. After two weeks of back and forth the owner did knock off another 26%. The price was now a “cannot loose” proposition and even if both the “Ifs” fell though, I could still double my investment. Happily when they did arrived the condition was beyond expectations and the Le Blanc Brothers had signed them internally in no less than 23 places! This is one item I can take off the bucket list, they are for sure my current Pride and Joy.
Dating Your Austerlitz
. The Colonne de Vendome. aka the Austerlitz Column, is not so subtle copy of Tajans’ Column in the Rome that Napoleon raised as a monument to his army, and self. It was made in 1810 of bronze from the pile of cannons captured in battle from the Austrian Army. It has become an icon of Paris, though it has had a bit of a checkered past due to politics in France. It is one of the most sought after souvenirs around, and over time there have been many different makers. Fortunately it is not difficult to have a good idea of when an old one was made, and that often leads to who the maker was as well.
The Column was finished in 1810 and dedicated to the accomplishments of the Grand Army of the Republic. These earliest models are distinguished by the statue of Napoleon that crowns to top. As long as they were already taking the whole design from the Romans, why not depict the general as a Roman Emperor? So if you find a Column with a toga clad Caesar wannabe holding an orb in his left hand, you have one made between 1810 and about 1820.
In 1814 a nationalist political faction took power in France and Napoleon was forced to abdicate the throne. The French had decided they did not want a Caesar; and after holding numerous hearings, decided to remove the Emperor from the top of the column and replace him with a Fleur de Lys flag. This was the symbol of King Louis XVIII head of the new regime; otherwise called the Restoration (1814-1830).
However, with the passing years the popularity of the Emperor (who had died in exile in May 1821) grew and grew. In 1831 the new king Louis-Philippe who was anxious to link himself with the Bonapartist Party, decided to install a new statue of Napoleon on the Column. He chose a popular image of the emperor dressed in his famous coat and his trademark hat. So if yours is one of the many “Little Corporal” columns it was probably made between 1834 and 1852.
In 1852, the newest leader of France was the Emperor Napoleon III, having recently come to power following in his uncle’s footsteps. The new Emperor replaced the ‘little corporal’ statue with another new statue depicting Napoleon I once again as a Roman Emperor. This time however the statue is holding his Orb in his right hand and those right handed orb models were likely made between 1852 and 1900. After that it is probably made of lead into the 1930’s, and then white metal into the 1960’s. Finally resin replaced metal as a medium, and in my opinion the degradation of detail in miniatures was complete
Grand Tour bronze of Phocas Column on Marble 13" tall, Phocas was Byzantine Emperor, It still stands today, it was a monument made of recycled parts they had laying around. The last monument ever build by the Romans
Bronze on Marble 23.5" tall Phocas Column in Rome's Forum, Made in Italy circa 1840's, came from an English country home. This was discovered in the 1800 and got a lot of GT attention as a "new" thing.
Trajan Column featuring a rare original paper label, documenting the period when Tennant continued operations following Mawes’ death during the 1850's. Bronze on Sienna marble base.
The original paper label on the Trajan Column from Tennant's Store c 1850's. Tennant was Mawes Partner who took over on Mawes Death and partnered with Mawes widow.
French, first quarter of the 19th century, a pair of Egyptian inspired bronze columns featuring Papyrus/Lotus motifs and fine gilt highlights, mounted on Belgium black marble bases & capitols. Purchased in London.
Three versions of Napoleons sarcophagus. The front one is what was actually made. The 2 behind are as proposed as his body was returned. It took years before the tomb was finished.
Purchased in London at Sworders Auction from the collection of David and Elizabeth Hacker. A 13.5" tall Cleopatras needle in Ashford Black Marble from Derbyshire. Inscription notes the obelisk is still in Alexandria thus dating it to the 1820's pre-removal. Artist were sent to Egypt to make exact copies of the hyrogliphics.
From Mawes c 1820 "An Exact Copy" as described in the 1828 catalogue. Mawes sent a designer to Egypt to copy it exactly.
Ashford Black marble can be found in the hills surrounding the village of Ashford, of the Water in Derbyshire. Its earliest definitive use can be traced back to the fireplaces of Hardwick Hall in 1580. The emergence of Ashford black marble developed during the 18th and 19th centuries, where a thriving trade in the production of urns, obelisks, vases and other decorative items formed. The stone was elegantly inlaid with a variety of semi-precious stones, shells and ceramics to depict the many wildflowers native to Britain, such as forget-me-nots, pansies and lily of the valley.
Set of three Ashford Black Obelisks with pietra dura inlays in floral and crazy pavement patterns. 18.5", 14", & 10" tall
Pair of Ashford Black obelisk with fin Pietra Dura inlay, C. 1825 Derbyshire UK from jMawes shop, Hacker collection purchase
Detail of the inlay done with malachite, alabaster, and other semi precious stones and minerals.
By the first part of the 19th century in about 1820’s and possibly earlier – English artisans were at work on the same Classicizing subjects, and others, made from so-called Ashford Black Marble, quarried in Derbyshire. In fact a type of limestone, ‘Black Marble’ was employed in the making of a variety of decorative objects and ornament through to the century’s end.
In 1794, John Mawe co-founded a business near London’s Covent Garden, which included trade in objects made of Ashford ‘Black Marble.’ By 1800 he had established a ‘Free Museum’ at Matlock Bath in Derbyshire – in fact the store focused on goods in marble and other stones. He relocated the London shop to a tonier address – The Strand – in 1811.
Mawe died in 1829 and the business continued on much as before because of a partnership between his wife Sarah and James Tennant, both expert mineralogists. Mawe and Tennant often marked their wares, either scribing their names into hard surfaces or adhering ornate paper labels. In the intervening two centuries, of course, these labels have largely fallen away.
Among the earliest of these objects made of ‘Black Marble’ were a group of well-made, highly-finished architectural models, especially of Egyptian obelisks. By 1828, Mawe had a Catalogue, featuring “Black Marbles of the finest quality,” including “correct copies of Cleopatra’s Needle, Bankes’s Obelisk with Greek inscriptions, the Obelisk at Heliopolis and at Zan.” The same Catalogue includes a list of architectural replicas apparently imported from Italy, including “Models of the Leaning Tower, Baptistery, and Cathedral at Pisa, Trajan’s Pillar, Scipio’s Tomb, and a great variety of smaller Articles.”
Why does Mawe’s list include only ancient obelisks still located in Egypt (or very recently moved to England directly from Egypt), rather than those imported to Rome? Part of the answer may have to do with the then current popularity in England of all things Egyptian. The Egyptian Revival, seen in the period’s Arts, Architecture, decorative arts, literature, etc., began with Napoleon’s recent conquest of Egypt, and, highly-organized, large-scale looting (is there another word?) of the range of ancient artifacts. When exhibited, these objects inspired a high-pitched fascination.
The Egyptian Revival in England was further fueled by Lord Nelson’s victory over the French in the Battle of the Nile in 1801 and by Egypt’s 1819 gift to Britain of the so-called Cleopatra’s Needle, then standing in Heliopolis. Retailer Mawe, apparently, sensed an opportunity. Mawes’ Catalogue from the 1820’s is paralleled by Tennant’s list, which includes obelisks into the 1870’s, though the latter’s interests in mineralogy began to predominate by the 1850’s.
From a Conn Estate sale. One is the rare Goshen Obelisk other is the Al Marsalla Obelisk still standing in Heliopolis. 15" tall work of Mawes shop. "Mark as MGM Prop Shop"
Bronze Luxor Obelisk 12" tall in a blued patina, with close up details of the hyrogliphics
3 Glass Obelisk from the late 1800's. The tall milk glass is Cleopatras needle in London and the short milk glass and amber glass are the Washington Monument in DC.
A medium Pantheon - an alabaster Leaning Tower - a large Freres Le Blanc Arch de Triomphe, the holy Door of St peters, and Caius Cestius Tomb.
The Fountain of the Piglet, Bronze miniature of Florence's Famous fountain that was gifted to the Medici from the Pope who stole it from a ruined Roman Villa.
13" white marble obelisk made in Italy. Circa early 1900's purchased in England
an alabaster hand carved Leaning tower of Piza. it ia 13" tall by 5" in diameter at the base.
On the left we have a bronze model of the temple of Vespasian 10" tall. On the right are 2 column of Phocas, the more common 5" one and a great 14" one I found at an auction in Italy.
Two small alabaster Roman Arches . Left is the arch of Titus and right is the Arch of Constantine.
Two versions of the Theaseum aka temple of Hephaestus. the back is 5" wide, the front is 7" wide. Both are solid bronze.
The Arch of Constantine was a repurposed monument using parts from other emperor's monuments. It still stands today outside the Coliseum in Rome.
Details of the Goshen and Al-Marsalla obelisks respectively. these were used in the MGM prop house at one time for set dressing.
Inexpensive Cleopatras Needle London. Thought to be a cottage industry work for sale at the erection cerimony by street hawking?
A massive 15" bronze Cleopatras Needle in London made as a base for a gas powered cigar lighter used in a tobacco shop or Pub.
The Arena at Verona is a Roman amphitheater built in 30 AD. It is still in use today and is famous for the opera performances given there. It is one of the best preserved ancient structures of its kind.
1870 Monument to the Franco Prussian War
A 13" tall Ashford black Cleopatras needle by Mawes C 1820.
On the left is an 18" tall Vendome Column and on the right is a 22" tall reduction of Romes Marcus Aurelius Column.
A copy of the image of St. Cecilia, an "incorruptible", discovered during the height of the Grand Tour. She so captivated the travelers that the pope ordered Moderna to sculpt a statue of the body as she was found.
This is a small 4.5" Tall Arc de Triomphe attributed to Le Blank. It is a small trinket box.
Nice 3 sided Temple of Saturn, bronze on marble, c. 1870's.
Details of the Arch include the busts of other emperors and statues of captured slaves atop the columns.
9.5" Ashfords from Mawes/Tennants Shop. these are carved as opposed to the acid etching many are decorated with.
Bronze 7.5" Desk Thermometer with 2 scribes. Mercury thermometer is to the back side.
The same big heavy base with a verges patina was also used to hold a table top oil lamp securly.
a larger Freres Le Blanc Arch de Triomphe - a12" alabaster Leaning Tower - A large 6" Pantheon
Siegessaule translate as Victory Column in German and it is dedicated to a whole list of Prussian/German wars. This one was made about 1885.
This reduction of the Lateran Obelisk in Rome is made of marmo Rosso c 1820.
Two 14" tall Temples of Vespasian. Left is white alabaster painted to look like Sienna marble. Right is white Alabaster columns set between sienna marble base and Freize.
A nice solid bronze on Verges marble reduction of Michael Angelo's "Dusk & Dawn" carvings from the lid of Angelo's di Medici's Sarcophagus.
A rare find if you can come by one is the Temple of the Vesta in Tivoli, Italy.
Three versions of the Capulin Wolf nursing Romulus & Reamus, In legend hey are founders of the city of Rome.
34" tall late 19th century Italian Rouge Royal and Grey Bardiglio marble Obelisk. Came from a New Orleans Estate Sale. Weighs about 50 pounds. aka "Big Red"
One size does not fit all! These reductions of two main Paris monuments where often made in pairs so they could be used in balanced sets when decorating long tables and fireplace mantels. They were certainly made in a large variety of sizes. The six pairs here run the range from 8" tall to 26" tall and were finished in many different patinas.
A new addition to the Temples of Hercules is thins nice 5" in diameter reduction mounted on a Marmo Antiqua base
Large Bronze Sphinx c. 1870. that was made in France. It is 13" x 6" x 8" tall and weighs 14 pounds.
Windsor Round Tower Night Light by Goss China. Made in 1893 it is a very rare part of the English heritage series.
Vintage Bronze on Marble Statue Borghese Gladiator - circa late 1800
Alabaster Grand Tour reduction of the corner of the Doges Palace in Venice. C. 1850 a Rare find.
Vintage Bronze on Marble Statue Man With Scyth, German Bronze by Gustav Jager - circa late 1900
Vintage large Bronze on Marble Statue Discus Thrower - circa late 1800
Doges Palace from the back.
17.5" tall bronze on a red llevento marble base. c. 1850
These are all very accurate topographical maps. Consider that while satiates make the newer ones easy; how did they survey a mountain in the pre airplane days?
The Face of Pharaoh - 1. They could not have enough images of Pharaoh because his spirit needed bodies to manifest in.
Sphinxes where another way to honor Pharaoh; as were the Totem Iconography of the Northwest Indiginous People.
A 4" tall bronze replica of the Temple of the Sibyl in Tivoli.
Bottom Row is Carlise Castle-Bank of Ireland-top row is St Andrews hospital and home-Exeter Guild Hall & Selfridge Department Store on Oxford St
A new 11" tall bronze Column of Phocas On a base of purple marble and occur marble Plinth.
A new pair of GT Temples are the Sibyl on the left and the Hercules Victor on the right. They were bought together in Rome as is noted by an 1800's pencil note on the bottom.
My New display of recently acquired replicas of English Heritage Buildings made by Mosanic Pottery c.1893. They are hand carved Bisque Porcelain. Very Rare Items
A 12" tall bronze casting of the July Column in Paris. Nicely made piece c. 1880. the victory has been replaced.
A 4" tall inkwell in the form of Hercules Victor's Temple replica.
Bottom row has the Bank of Ireland, Dublin - House of Abbots of Buckast-Liverpool Docks Office & Top row is Melrose Abbey-Royal Pump Rm & Butter walk shops
6.5 inch tall bronze Arc de Triomphe, Paris. Unknown maker but exceptionally well detailed for its size.
The Three Emperors of the second Triumvirate
The Second Triumvirate was formed in 43 BC to avenge Caesar's murder and stabilize the Roman Republic. The triumvirs were given absolute power, including the ability to create laws without Senate approval, issue judicial punishments, and appoint magistrates. They divided the Roman Republic into three provinces, with Antony taking the east, Octavian taking the west, and Lepidus taking Africa.
The Second Triumvirate eventually disintegrated due to disagreements and civil war between the three men. Octavian defeated Antony at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC, and became the sole ruler of Rome.
These are not Grand Tour but are bronze on marble early 20th century pieces.
Lorenzo di Medici after Michelangelo, from the Medici tombs. Mark of F. Berbedine Foundry, signed H Fuger. 22" x 9" x 9"
A recently acquired very rare 26" Frere le Blanc reduction of the July Column dedicated to the revolt at the Bastille in Paris c1830. Excellent condition w/12 signatures.
The full set of large Frere le Blanc Paris Monuments C 1840's
15" Luxor Obelisk with blackened bronze plinth and shaft & gold plated trims. Rare, not marked, a very unconventional internal assembly construction.
Very large unsigned but well made Arc de Triomphe. Details are some of the best i have seen, 10.5" tall and over 25 pounds.
The new piece is the Temple of Castor and Pollux on the right. I finally found this match to the Temple of Saturn I have had for 20 years. Ned I need the Vespatian to complete the set.
Temple of Saturn in Alabaster. 12" tall c. 1850. Very Rare, it was found in about 20 pieces that I spend a long time restoring,
The Horses of St Marks cast in Bronze. These were made in Constantinople and hauled home by the Venetians. Later they were stolen by the French and returned by the Brittish.
Alabaster reduction of the temple of Hercules. c1840, carved from alabaster and stained to look like Sienna Marble.
Tomb of Scipio carved in France of Africana Granite on a Sienna marble base. 19th century or older. Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus.
The Tomb of Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus was one of the two elected Roman consuls in 298 BC and led the Roman army to victory against the Etruscans near Volterra. A member of the noble Roman family of Scipiones.
This new 4" tall Pantheon is an upgrade to my old one that is currently on the sale page. It has few chips in less important places and the price was right.
It took a long time but Marcus finally arrived from Spain! He needed a bit of repair but came out pretty well I think?
Spectacular new find from the collection of Henry Ford II. The temples of Vespasian and Castor Pollux carved in Gaillo Antico Marble in a 24" tall format c. 1860.
Very Large Marmo Giallo Coliseum in Rome. 8"w - 6.75" d - 6" tall. Large ones like this are hard to find, especially in this condition.
Purchased from a Bakewell Country Home in the UK, a huge 11" tall pyramid made of specimen samples salvaged from Roman long buried buildings. c. 1850 - Rare Find
Made of Sienna Antico marble c. 1850 this is an upgrade to my other Scipio Tomb. This one is a box instead of an inkwell and unlike so many of these it still has its lid. The original was stolen in the1500's by some Pope who put it in the Vatican Museum where it sits today.
My Red marble column display has grown by two new additions; Trajan is left of the Siegessaule and Marcus Aurelius is on the right.
This new Temple of Castor and Pollux had such beautiful marble I could not pass it up. It's condition is wonderful.
Details of the workmanship on the Ford Temples.
Coliseum in Rome. 4"w - 2.5" d - 4" t, Carved Alabaster. While this size is more common it is still a rare building to discover,
Arch of Titus carved in alabaster, 5"tall. The original still stands in Rome today.
32" tall pair of "crazy pavement" patterned obelisks. From Australia. They are likely English c. mid 1800's
Left, new 22" Pietra Dura obelisk with unusual malachite inlay. Right is a new 25" Giallo marble Phocas Column in Rome
Fancy Marble Column City
Pope Sixtus V rededicated it by writing "Pope Sixtus V took pity on this column dedicated to Emperor Antonius because it was broken in the fall of the first empire and I restored it in 1609."
22" Gilt Bronze reduction of Big Ben from Hutchinson Scott ltd, Skipdon UK. Very heavy gilt bronze. C. 1890.
Sixtus continues " I purged this Abominable Column with impiety of St Paul the Apostle by placing his Gilded Bronze Statue at the top in 1609 AD"
16" Marmo Rosso obelisk located in the Flaminio quarter on Piazza del Popolo. The base reads: ". Begun by Seti but complete by Ramses II and set in the temple of Heliopolis.
26" tall Red (Marmo Rosso Antico) Column of Marcus Aurelius
14.5" Marmo Rosso Divo Atonina Exceedingly RARE! This Column was ruined and never rebuilt so not many were ever made.
23" tall columns made of Porphyry Marble c. 1860 with Sienna Marble capitals and plinths. Came from a shop in Rome.
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Satyr oil lamp candle holder.
This 16" tall Marmo Rosso Antico copy of the Lateran Obelisk in Rome is a wonderful addition! Deeply carved c. 1830. It is the tallest of all the obelisks Stolen from Egypt.
and continues "The column is now Triumphant and Sacred to Christ Bringing the Pious Discipline who through the preaching of the Cross Triumph over the Roman Barbarians."
Dedication Panel of Antonius Column reads "Marcus Aurelius Emperor of the Armenian Parthians. who defeated the Germans in the great war, Dedicates this Triumphal Column to his Pius Father Emperor Antonius who is distinguished by his achievements.
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