19th C. Neo-Classic Cast-Stone Herm of Pan : Alva Vanderbilt Belmont Estate

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About the Item

This late 19th Century-Neo Classic herm was acquired in 1945 from the Sands Point, Long Island estate of Alva Vanderbilt Belmont. The castle was called "Beacon Towers". The herm of pan was acquired from the estate and then made its journey to an estate in Miami and is now available for purchase from Iconic Snob Galeries. Alva Vanderbilt Belmont built her last new mansion in the United States on Long Island's North Shore. This one, Beacon Towers, has been described by scholars as a pure Gothic fantasy. It was designed by Hunt & Hunt and was built from 1917–18 in Sands Point. In 1925 Belmont closed the castle permanently, it was sold to William Randolph Hearst in 1927. He partially remodeled it and then sold it in 1942. It was demolished in 1945. It is thought by some literary scholars to have been part of the inspiration for the home of Jay Gatsby in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. Here the boy Pan is depicted playing his pan-pipes as he gazes upon the landscape with a look of mesmerizing thought. This piece which has aged beautifully is cast-stone with flakes of mica which glistens in the sunlight. A tapered rectangular stone post topped with a portrait bust is now called a herm; it is a standard element of architecture in the classical style. The god was a lover of nymphs, who commonly fled from his advances. Syrinx ran and was transformed into a clump of reeds, out of which the god crafted his famous pan-pipes. Pitys escaped and was turned into a mountain fir, the god's sacred tree. Ekho spurned his advances and fading away left behind only her voice to repeat forever the mountain cries of the god. Please feel free to contact us directly for a shipping quote, or other questions and information including making an offer by clicking "Contact Dealer" button.

Dimensions:
Height: 58 in (147.32 cm)Width: 11.5 in (29.21 cm)Depth: 9 in (22.86 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Cast Stone
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
Late 19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1890-1910
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
West Palm Beach, FL
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU128422404512