Lifesize Italian 19th Century Specimen Marble Bust of a Greco-Roman Warrior

A fine Italian 19th-20th century lifesize carved marble bust of a lady wearing a hat, the beautifully carved marble bust of a lady posing with a gaze to her right, wearing a bonnet w...

Ferdinando Vichi (Italian, 1875-1945) A fine and lifesize Italian white Carrara marble Greco-Roman figure of the Belvedere Apollo, after the original, now in the Vatican Museum, the Belvedere Apollo has defined the Greek aesthetic ideals of harmony, noble simplicity and quiet grandeur. Apollo is depicted as an archer, having just killed the Python of Delphi. The carved figure displays the tension lingering as if the arrow has just left his bow. Standing on an oval base inscribed: F. Vichi, Firenze, Made in Italy. Florence, circa 1895-1900. Measures: Height 68 inches (192 cm) Width 47 1/4 inches (120 cm) Depth 38 1/2 inches (97.8 cm) Width of base 25 inches (63.5 cm) Former Property of Adolph Henrich Joseph Sutro's famous Cliff House and indoor public swimming establishment, The Sutro Baths...

A French 19th century bronze and marble bust of Marianne in full armor. The nicely cast Baroque Revival brown patinated bronze and carved white marble figure of Marianne, the allegorical personification of the French Republic, presented in her militaristic guise, reminiscent of Minerva, wearing a Phrygian helmet and armored breastplate centered by winged male mask and with lion shoulder armor pads, all raised on a conforming black marble base. Circa: 1890-1900. Marianne has been the national personification of the French Republic since the French Revolution, as a personification of liberty, equality, fraternity and reason, as well as a portrayal of the Goddess of Liberty. Marianne is displayed in many places in France and holds a place of honor in town halls and law courts. She is depicted in the Triumph of the Republic, a bronze sculpture overlooking the Place de la Nation in Paris, as well as represented with another Parisian statue on the Place de la République. Her profile stands out on the official government logo of the country, appears on French euro coins and on French postage stamps. She was also featured on the former franc currency and is officially used on most government documents. Marianne is a significant republican symbol; her French monarchist equivalent is often Joan of Arc. As a national icon Marianne represents opposition to monarchy and the championship of freedom and democracy against all forms of oppression. Other national symbols of Republican France include the tricolor flag, the national motto Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité, the national anthem "La Marseillaise", the coat of arms, and the official Great Seal of France. Marianne also wore a Cockade and a red Phrygian cap symbolizing Liberty. Minerva and its pendant bust of Mars evoke the classicizing subjects, bust-length formats, and style that originated in France during the reign of Louis XIV (1643–1715) and that concurrently was popularized across Europe. The busts' simple forms, stiff poses, and solemn facial types are consistent with the late Baroque sculptures that were carved in Flanders during this period. In Flanders, especially in Antwerp and Brussels, sculpture and architectural decoration traditionally was carved using combinations of native black marble (noir belge), mottled red marble (rouge belge), and white marble or alabaster. The use of these stones in colorful counterpoint speaks most strongly to the busts’ Flemish origins. The veneration of ideal heroes and heroines in ancient costume and arms took on extravagant form in the 17th century, with countless variations. Within this imaginative tradition, the identification of the pair as Minerva and Mars cannot be certain. The female bust, for example, could be identified as Bellona, Roman goddess of war, who is depicted in 17th and 18th century French paintings wearing flamboyantly plumed helmets and low-cut cuirasses that expose her breasts. Whatever their identities, the female and male warriors are portrayed as calm rather than bellicose beings. The sovereign pair does...

An Italian 19th-20th century carved color-alabaster bust of a young beauty. The finely carved two-tone alabaster bust, depicting a young girl posing with a side gaze and wavy hair ti...

19th Century French Marble Bust Sculpture of Apollo. Gorgeous. Statuary marble

This stately 19th-century Italian carved marble bust of a Roman warrior displays remarkable attention to detail. This sculpture is a masterclass in the art of combining various speci...

A handsome and most impressive Italian 19th century white Carrara, Sarrancolin marble, Patinated Bronze and Faux Painted marble bust of August Caesar. This exceptional bust is raised...

19th century Italian Grand Tour carved white marble bust of Apollo, affixed to variegated marble plinth, no visible signature. Apollo was the Greek god of sun, music poetry and philo...