Belgian Black Marble Architectural Models

A superb quality mid- to late 19th century architectural model of a baroque arch or temple, in rouge griotte, giallo di Siena and Belgian black marble, with jasper columns and ormolu mounts. Rouge Griotte was a popular marble of the 18th century, particularly among the royals who favoured this rich inimitable red for the fireplaces of their royal apartments. In fact, it is recorded that Louis XIV ordered many fireplaces to be made out of this red marble for the Versailles Palace in France. Continental, circa 1860–80. Why we like it Exquisitely detailed throughout, this splendid object is superbly decorative and can be used to display a precious object too, such as the 17th century serpentine sphere. Would you like to see more beautiful things from our collection? Scroll down below and click "View All From Seller" or favorite our shop to get your first dibs...

Previous owner mentioned that this was a maquette for a building design to be built or was built in Chicago. I found no references to a condor building or information about this cond...

Diminutive Grand Tour Bronze Architectural Model of the Arch de Triumph Of small scale, intricately cast and modeled, with lift top, on a oval black ...

A generously sized and well detailed Grand Tour bronze architectural model of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, mounted on a black marble base. ...

A 19th century Grand Tour neoclassical bronze architectural model of the Temple of Vesta, Rome, circa 1875, on a square grey marble base. The primary value in going on the Grand Tou...

A rare, unusually tall (31 inches high) beautifully cast 19th century French Grand Tour gilt bronze model of the Napoleon Column, now in the Place Vendome, Paris, with a figural scul...

A rare early 19th century Italian Grand Tour model of the tomb of Roman consul Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus, the sarcophagus of rectangular form in carved solid Belgian black marble (Nero del Belgio), the lid with acanthus-scrolled ends, the front edge incised and yellow painted CORNELIVS. C. N. F. SCIPIO, the sarcophagus having graduated and dentil cornice above Doric entablature with triglyphs, rosette metopes, and guttae above yellow painted incised inscription reading: CORNELIVS.LVCIVS.SCIPIO·BARBATVS.GNAIVOD.PATRE PROGNATVS.FORTIS.VIR.SAPIENSQVE.QVOIVS·FORMA·VIRTVTEI·PARISVMA FVIT. CONSOL.CENSOR.AIDILIS.QVEI.FVIT.APVD.VOS.TAVRASIA·CISAVNA SAMNIO.CEPIT.SVBIGIT.OMNE.LOVCANA.OPSIDESQVE.ABDOVCIT translated as "Cornelius Lucius Scipio Barbatus, sprung from Gnaeus his father, a man strong and wise, whose appearance was most in keeping with his virtue, who was consul, censor, and aedile among you - He captured Taurasia Cisauna in Samnium - he subdued all of Lucania and led off hostages" on a deep compound graduated plinth on a Giallo Antico marble base. Most examples of this form house inkwells, this example quite rare as the interior is hollow, possibly for use as a match safe or quill nib receptacle. Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus (died circa 280 BC) 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, he was the father of Lucius Cornelius Scipio and Gnaeus Cornelius Scipio Asina and great-grandfather of Scipio Africanus...