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
Rating: 5 (28 reviews)

$22,655.68List Price

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

Antique 1850s Italian Grand Tour Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières

Materials

Bronze

Bronze Pompeian Athénienne-Jardinière attributed to Sabatino De Angelis & Fils

$9,850

H 35.25 in Dm 19.25 in

Antique Pair of Italian Bronze Busts: Dionysus and Ariadne, 19th Century

Located in Madrid, ES

This exquisite pair of antique Italian bronze busts represents the timeless allure of the Grand Tour era, featuring depictions of Dionysus and Ariadn...

Category

Antique 1880s Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Antique Pair of Italian Bronze Busts: Dionysus and Ariadne, 19th Century

$2,853

H 13 in W 4.34 in D 4.34 in

Antique Pair Italian Bronze Busts of Dionysus and Ariadne 19th Century

Located in London, GB

This is a fine antique pair of Italian Grand Tour solid bronze busts of Dionysus and Ariadne, circa 1860 in date. The pair feature black patinated finely cast busts which are mount...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Grand Tour Busts

Materials

Marble, Slate, Bronze

Antique Pair Italian Bronze Busts of Dionysus and Ariadne 19th Century

$2,128 / set

H 12.21 in W 5.12 in D 3.55 in

Faure De Brouysse Bronze Bust, France, 19th Century

Located in Lambertville, NJ

A bronze portrait bust of a young aristocratic Parisian woman by Vincent-Desire Faure de Brousse, Titled "Raphaella", the woman is depicted in a lavish blouse with lace trim adorned with a lobed broach and jeweled crown headpiece...

Category

Antique 1870s French Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Faure De Brouysse Bronze Bust, France, 19th Century

$4,695

H 26 in W 13 in D 9 in

19th Century Bust – F. Aulde – Gilt Bronze – César

Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant

Elegant late 19th century gilt bronze bust of César, attributed to French maker F. Aulde. Executed in a neoclassical style, the bust represents a Roman figure—likely Julius Caesar—dr...

Category

Antique 1880s French Classical Roman Busts

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century Bust – F. Aulde – Gilt Bronze – César

$1,078

Free Shipping

H 9.85 in W 5.52 in D 3.55 in

19th Century Bronze Bust of Homer

Located in Dublin 8, IE

19th Century bronze bust of Homer attributed to the Chiurazzi Foundry, Naples, Italy. Homer was author of the epic poems the Iliad and the Odyssey.

Category

Antique 19th Century European Neoclassical Busts

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Bronze Bust of Homer

$6,979

H 22 in W 13.5 in D 11 in

19th Century Bronze bust of Diane de Houdon, Signed Bulio

By Jean Bulio

Located in Brighton, Sussex

A very good quality 19th century bronze patinated bronze bust of Diana, raised on a plinth base. Diana is a goddess in Roman and Hellenistic religion, primarily considered a patroness of the countryside, hunters, crossroads, and the Moon. She is equated with the Greek goddess Artemis...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Busts

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Bronze bust of Diane de Houdon, Signed Bulio

$5,217

H 28.35 in W 15.75 in D 9.06 in

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

$7,220

H 22 in W 15 in D 12 in

Bronze Bust of Young Girl, 19th Century

Located in Brighton, Sussex

An enchanting 19th century French patinated bronze bust of a young girl, circa 1860.

Category

Antique 19th Century French Romantic Busts

Materials

Bronze

Bronze Bust of Young Girl, 19th Century

$4,393

H 18.51 in W 8.67 in D 7.09 in

Bronze Bust of Napoleon III, 19th Century

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

Bronze bust of Napoleon III, 19th century. Sculpture representing a 19th century Bust of Napoleon III, Napoleon III Period. Dimensions: H: 22cm, W: 11cm, D: 9cm.

Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Busts

Materials

Bronze

Bronze Bust of Napoleon III, 19th Century

$2,286

H 8.67 in W 4.34 in D 3.55 in

More From This Seller

View All

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

$1,057

19th Century Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Candelabra

Located in Richmond, London

A fine pair of Regency period gilded and patinated bronze candelabra or candlesticks. English, circa 1810. Why we like them Exquisite, late neoclassical design; beautiful co...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Candelabras

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Candelabra

$3,020 / set

Pair of 19th Century Open Armchairs

By Gillows of Lancaster & London

Located in Richmond, London

A superb quality pair of open armchairs, after late 18th century designs by Gillows of Lancaster and London, the manufacture attributable to Gillow & Co. English, circa 1880. Why we like them Wonderfully elegant model, looking very delicate but in fact unusually strong – the sign of a skilled craftsman. Interestingly, chairs of this exact model can be seen in a painting by Walter Dendy Sadler (British, 1854-1923), The After Lunch Conversation, 1889, sold at Doyle, New York, 21 May 2024, lot 83. Design These chairs correspond to Gillows’ 'Garforth pattern' - a rare and highly desirable design - which first appeared in 1795 and was probably an adaptation of Georges Jacob's design of circa 1792 for Marie-Antoinette's dairy at Rambouillet. Gillows made the chairs not only in mahogany but also japanned, and they appear to have been particularly popular among the genteel, professional, and merchant classes in the north of England. In 1796, the Earl of Strafford purchased six white and green japanned chairs for Wentworth Woodhouse...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century European Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery

Pair of 19th Century Open Armchairs

$5,451 / set

Set of Eight 19th Century Seagull Prints by John Gould

By John Gould and Henry Constantine Richter

Located in Richmond, London

A set of eight of exceptional quality 19th century hand-coloured lithographs, in beautiful early 20th century walnut frames From John Gould (1804-1881), The Birds of Great Britain...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Prints

Materials

Paper, Walnut

Set of Eight 19th Century Seagull Prints by John Gould

$17,163 / set

19th Century Tapestry Cushion

Located in Richmond, London

Rare in this big size floral wool tapestry cushion with cotton backing and tassel fringe trim. English or French, late 19th – early 20th century. Why we like it This floral tapestr...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool

19th Century Tapestry Cushion

$851

19th Century Tapestry Cushions

Located in Richmond, London

A pair of decorative loose cushions made of antique handwoven tapestry of floral design, with modern linen backing and tassel fringe edging. French, late 19th – early 20th century. ...

Category