19th Century Pair of Polished Marmo Marble Sphere Paperweights

Pair of figural bronze paperweights over cararra marble bases. circa early 19th century; models of "Il Porcellino" and "Wounded Stag" Item # C104009 A superb pair of 19th century p...

FINE PAIR OF LOUIS XVI STYLE BRONZE AND RED MARBLE TABLE LAMPS Probably French, circa late 19th century Item # 404KXB11P A gorgeous pair of tabl...

A CARVED MARBLE BUST OF A CLASSICAL STATESMAN Carrara marble on separately turned socle unsigned Circa mid-to-late 19th century Item # 307FDI13Q An incredibly powerful bust of ...

PAIR OF FRENCH LOUIS XVI STYLE BRONZE MOUNTED BRECHE VIOLETTE MARBLE VASES Circa third quarter of the 19th century Item # 403TET18P A lovely matched pair of vases in the Louis XV ta...

GRAND TOUR MODEL AFTER ANTIQUITY Naples, Italy (19th Century) "The Callipygian Venus" Sand-cast and patinated bronze signed foundry mark in the base "Fonderia Artistica Sommer Napoli" (active by 1885-1916) cast late 19th century Item # 402KRG29Z A beautifully cast Grand Tour reduction of the Callipygian Venus after the life-size statue of antiquity, the sculpture was executed by the boutique foundry established by Giorgio Sommer (German/Italian, 1834-1914) for the casting of sculpture in bronze and later the carving of sculpture in marble. Giorgio Sommer was a German photographer who spent most of his career in Italy, moving to Naples in 1857 where he first established his photography business. At some point thereafter he opened the foundry, which was rather successful, likely due to the very fine quality of output the firm produced. While most records show the foundry opened in 1885, sources suggest they were producing sculpture early in the 1870s before exhibiting in 1885. Thereafter they produced illustrated cataloges of their sculpture for marketing and distribution. He died in 1914 and the foundry survived him only two years before closing its doors in 1916. The present example is a richly detailed model with extensive carving and articulation of the underlying model; note the rich stylus work in Venus's hair, the handiwork apparent in the repeating motif around the base and the raised signature of the foundry, which is captured directly from the mold and not simply cold-tooled onto the base. The surface throughout is characterized by perfection: smooth and exquisitely finished garments and skin all finished in a medium-brown translucent patina. The model depicts the Callipygian Venus, also known as the Venus Kallipygos or the Aphrodite Kallipygos. The term "Callipygian" is derived from the Greek words "kallos" meaning beautiful, and "pyge" meaning buttocks. The original is an ancient Roman marble statue...

PAIR OF LOUIS XV STYLE PATINATED BEECHWOOD WINGBACK BERGERES Circa late 19th century Item # 306XGL21P A good pair of wingback bergere arm chairs in the Louis XV style, they feature...

A rectangular shaped paperweight with inset Porphyry, Siena Marble and Mother of Pearl in black marble framework

Gorgeous set of two post-modern marble spheres / paperweights, circa 1980s. The pieces are in very good condition with no chips or cracks and the largest one measures 3"D x 3"H and ...

Italian Grand Tour stamp box, 19th century.

A very unusual and eye-catching pair of 19th century crystal paperweights in the shape of conical 'shells'. Smooth to the touch, their clear crystal cones are filled with a riot of h...

The round paperweight framed in black marble, with porphyry and sienna marble and other marble specimens. The center in sienna marble with carved bea...

Swedish paperweight in the marble in the shape of a cannon barrel. Beautiful patina. Empire, early 19th century. Minor chips (se pictures) Wear con...