Pair of 17th Century Carved Sandstone Reclining Lions Originally Part of the

This finely carved 19th-century alabaster sculpture is a nice example of Grand Tour artistry, depicting the Temple of Vespasian and Titus in Rome. The base is inscribed "TEMPIO DI VESPASIANO," and the entablature bears the partial inscription "ESTITVER," referencing the Latin word "restituerunt," meaning "they restored," from a 3rd-century inscription commemorating renovations by Emperors Septimius Severus and Caracalla. The Temple of Vespasian and Titus, located at the western end of the Roman Forum, was initiated by Emperor Titus in 79 AD to honor his deified father, Vespasian. After Titus's death in 81 AD, his brother Domitian completed the temple around 87 AD. Designed in the Corinthian order, the temple featured a hexastyle portico with six columns at the front and was constructed in a constrained space measuring approximately 33 meters in length and 22 meters in width. During the 19th century, as part of the Grand Tour tradition, affluent European and American travelers collected architectural souvenirs...

A highly decorative painted cast iron heron, crafted in the Japanese style during the first half of the 20th century. Standing gracefully on one leg with its neck tucked in, the hero...

Rare late 15th century or early 16th century Gothic Corpus Christi wood sculpture. Probably North German or South Sweden. This large Christ sculpture...

An 18th century Venus de’ Medici bronze bust, mounted on a later 19th century marble base. It has a beautiful rich slightly worn dark brown patina. Venus...

Unique and very beautiful pair weathered white marble baroque ornaments. They most likely once adorned a church altar. Original period pieces, Italy, ci...

An outstanding and exquisite 17th century French capital to a pilaster. Expertly carved from wood with a wonderful cherub stunningly finished in water g...

An absolutely stunning set of two 17th century architectural fragments from Venice, Italy. Beautifully carved in giltwood with a pomegranate motif, a symbol of resurrection and the h...

Fine quality antique carved marble recumbent lions after models by Antonio Canova. Architectural elements most likely part of a larger el...