Items Similar to 19th Century Bronze Bust of Dionysus by Sabatino de Angelis

Bust of Menelaus or Ajax (Pasquino Group). Bronze. 20th century.

19th Century Bronze Bust of Apollo Belvedere

French Patinated Bronze Bust of the Greek Hero Ajax, circa 1880

Italian Neoclassic Style Bronze Poseidon Bust

Antique Bronze Bust of Menelaus

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 20

19th Century Bronze Bust of Dionysus by Sabatino de Angelis

Name: 19th Century Bronze Bust of Dionysus by Sabatino de Angelis
Brand: Sabatino De Angelis
Price: 34757.59 AUD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (28 reviews)

$22,601.77

£16,500

€19,444.21

CA$31,056.07

A$34,757.59

CHF 18,140.79

MX$423,863.39

NOK 232,177.41

SEK 219,785.65

DKK 145,109.57

Shipping

Retrieving quote...

The 1stDibs Promise:

Authenticity Guarantee,

Money-Back Guarantee,

24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

A superb 'Grand Tour' bronze bust, traditionally described as Dionysus (Dionysos), after the original excavated at the Villa of the Papyri in 1754, by the Sabatino and Sons foundry, Naples. Mounted on a marble socle base. Italy, 1890–1900. Superb quality, original patination. A similar bust, though of a later date and inferior quality, was sold at Christie's London, 19 July 2022, lot 73 (£15,120). Why we like it Exquisitely sculpted, with beautiful patination, this handsome head has most attractive features and reflects the Ancient Greek ideal of beauty. We were captivated by its timeless beauty while on a trip to the National Archaeological Museum in Naples (last image) and later, on the island of Capri in 2020, where an identical bust could be seen at the whimsical Villa San Michele, the life’s work of the Swedish royal physician, author, and collector Axel Munthe (1857–1949). Coveted by 19th-century intellectuals and aesthetes, such exquisite objects were not mere decorations, but symbols of their owner's classical values and refined taste. Further examples graced the rooms of such style and fashion luminaries as Yves Saint Laurent, Pier Luigi Pizzi, and Karl Lagerfeld. Please, see the last five images in the listing. History The bust, dating from the mid-1st century AD and found in 1754 in the peristyle of the so-called Villa of the Papyri at Herculaneum, had long been misidentified as Plato, but was, in fact, an upper part of a herm, most likely of Dionysus, and is now preserved at the Naples Archaeological Museum. Johann Joachim Winckelmann (1717–1768), a German art historian and one of the founders of scientific archaeology, wrote about this bust in his Critical Account of the Situation and Destruction by the First Eruptions of Mt. Vesuvius, of Herculaneum, Pompeii, and Stabia in 1762: "The buckles formed by the hair of the head, which has a long beard, are soldered only on the sides. The workmanship of this head is likewise worth our notice, as infinitely superior to that of all our modern artists. It is one of the most perfect pieces in the whole world; and I may take upon me to say that it is impossible for the art of man to produce anything, in any branch, superior to it..." The Villa of the Papyri was an ancient Roman villa in Herculaneum, in what is now Ercolano, southern Italy. It is named after its unique library of papyri (or scrolls), discovered in 1750. The Villa was considered to be one of the most luxurious houses in all of Herculaneum and in the Roman world. Its luxury is shown by its exquisite architecture and by the very large number of outstanding works of art discovered, including frescoes, bronzes, and marble sculpture which constitute the largest collection of Greek and Roman sculptures ever discovered in a single context. It was situated on the ancient coastline below the volcano Vesuvius with nothing to obstruct the view of the sea. It was perhaps owned by Julius Caesar's father-in-law, Lucius Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus. In AD 79, the eruption of Vesuvius covered all of Herculaneum with up to 30 metres (98 ft) of volcanic material from pyroclastic flows. Herculaneum was first excavated in the years between 1750 and 1765 by Karl Weber by means of tunnels. Most of the villa is still underground, but parts have been cleared of volcanic deposits. Many of the finds are displayed in the Naples National Archaeological Museum. The De Angelis Foundry (Naples, 1840–1915) Chiurazzi, De Angelis, and Sommer were the main Neapolitan foundries that catered to the needs and tastes of the Grand Tourists throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. The Fonderia De Angelis, active from 1840, was the oldest of the three and certainly the most prestigious. Edwan Robinson, the director of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts since 1902, wrote about its founder, Sabatino de Angelis (b.1838), being "by far the best of the Neapolitan copyists, his talent and feeling for his line of work being rare in any generation."

Creator:
Sabatino De Angelis (Maker)
Dimensions:
Height: 24.41 in (62 cm)Width: 17.72 in (45 cm)Depth: 13.78 in (35 cm)
Style:
Classical Roman (In the Style Of)
Materials and Techniques:
Bronze,Patinated
Place of Origin:
Italy
Period:
Late 19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1890
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Ready for placement and immediate enjoyment. Superb original patination.
Seller Location:
Richmond, GB
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU1781228390312

More From This Seller

View All

Monumental Regency Lion Mask Overmantel Mirror

By Thomas Hope

Located in Richmond, London

An extremely elegant rectangular overmantel or wall mirror of monumental proportions. Designed in the late Georgian – early Regency taste, promoted by gentlemen-designers such as Tho...

Category

20th Century European Regency Revival Mantel Mirrors and Fireplace Mirrors

Materials

Mirror

Monumental Regency Lion Mask Overmantel Mirror

$5,896

Early 20th Century Green Marble and Gilt Bronze Table Lamp

Located in Richmond, London

A superb quality gilt bronze mounted urn in Verde Antico marble, now fitted as a table lamp. France or Italy, late 19th – early 20th century. Why we like it This table lamp is crafted from rare Verde Antico marble, quarried in Larissa, Thessaly, Greece. Known for its deep green color and distinct white and black veining, this marble is valued among collectors and designers for its unique character and scarcity. The stone is paired with finely cast gilt bronze mounts that provide a pleasing contrast and add subtle elegance to the piece. Verde Antico marble is considered rare and historically significant. The Corsi Collection of Decorative Stones at Oxford University Museum of Natural History catalogue entry 566. (143.2) reads: “Another of a lighter green, with white and more definite black markings. The two amazing tables in the Galleria degli Animali in the Vatican Museum are of this type. (Very rare).” Image attached to the listing. The Galleria degli Animali, or Hall of Animals, was created during the papacy of Pius VI (1775–1799) as a “stone zoo” of sorts, using ancient sculptures that were often restored and occasionally reimagined. This ambitious project brought together prominent artists of the 18th century, including Francesco Antonio Franzoni from Carrara. The artworks in this space reflect themes of nature and hunting, with coloured marbles chosen to suggest the textures and colours of animal fur, feathers, or to create eye-catching contrasts. See last two images in the listing. Combining Verde Antico marble with high-quality gilt bronze accents, this lamp is a distinctive piece that brings historical character and timeless appeal to any space. May be wired for any country. Lampshade not included. Height without shade: 53 cm / 21 in. Would you like to see more beautiful things from our collection? Scroll down below and click "View All From Seller" or favourite our shop to get your first dibs...

Category

Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Table Lamps

Materials

Ormolu

Early 20th Century Green Marble and Gilt Bronze Table Lamp

$2,832

19th Century Bronze Figure of a Dachshund on Siena Marble Base

Located in Richmond, London

An exquisite and very rare small bronze figure of a dog, a male dachshund. France, 19th century. A highly desirable and sought after addition to any collection. Why We Like It This...

Category

Antique 19th Century Antarctican Animal Sculptures

Materials

Siena Marble, Bronze

19th Century Bronze Figure of a Dachshund on Siena Marble Base

$1,053

Antique Bronze Etruscan Candelabrum 19th Century

By F. Barbedienne Foundry

Located in Richmond, London

An exquisitely cast and patinated bronze 'Etruscan' candelabrum in the Grand Tour taste. France or Italy, mid- to late 19th century. Why we like it We love the finest quality of cas...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Grand Tour Candelabras

Materials

Bronze

Antique Bronze Etruscan Candelabrum 19th Century

$1,641

19th Century Grand Tour Engravings of Achilles and Borghese Gladiator

Located in Richmond, London

Two exquisite and rare etchings of ancient sculptures by Pierre Bouillon (1776-1831), from his book Musée des antiques, published in Paris between 1811...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Classical Greek Prints

Materials

Paper

19th Century Grand Tour Engravings of Achilles and Borghese Gladiator

$1,860 / set

Pair of 19th Century French Neoclassical Bronze Candlesticks by F.Barbedienne

Located in Richmond, London

Pair of rare 19th Century Neoclassical Bronze Candlesticks. Stamped F.Barbedienne. France, circa 1860. Why we like them Absolutely superb, Ferdinand Barbedienne quality at its best...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Candlesticks

Materials

Bronze

Pair of 19th Century French Neoclassical Bronze Candlesticks by F.Barbedienne

$4,651 / set

20th Century European Neoclassical Revival Busts

Materials

Bronze

Bust of Menelaus or Ajax (Pasquino Group). Bronze. 20th century.

$4,981

19th Century Bronze Bust of Apollo Belvedere

Located in Dublin 8, IE

19th Century bronze bust of the Greek God, Apollo Belvedere. After the ancient original ‘Apollo Belvedere’ sculpture by Leochares.

Category

Antique 19th Century Busts

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Bronze Bust of Apollo Belvedere

$7,116

French Patinated Bronze Bust of the Greek Hero Ajax, circa 1880

Located in Dallas, TX

Grand Tour French, patinated bronze bust of the Greek hero/mythological warrior Ajax (Menelaus) on a socle base, circa 1880. Ajax wears a helmet with batt...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Classical Roman Busts

Materials

Bronze

French Patinated Bronze Bust of the Greek Hero Ajax, circa 1880

$3,695

Italian Neoclassic Style Bronze Poseidon Bust

Located in Queens, NY

Italian neoclassic style cast bronze Poseidon bust with black metal stand (19th century).

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Busts

Materials

Bronze

Italian Neoclassic Style Bronze Poseidon Bust

$4,800

Italian Neoclassic Style Bronze Poseidon Bust

Located in Queens, NY

Italian Neo-classic style cast bronze Poseidon bust with black metal stand (19th Cent).

Category

Antique 19th Century Neoclassical Busts

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Italian Neoclassic Style Bronze Poseidon Bust

$4,800

Antique Bronze Bust of Menelaus

Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire

An antique bronze Neoclassical bust of Menelaus after the antique. This handsome sculpture is depicted looking to the right with his helmet raised over his waved hair and curling bea...

Category