Items Similar to 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Antique Bronze Sculpture of “Narcissus”
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 22
19th Century Italian Grand Tour Antique Bronze Sculpture of “Narcissus”
About the Item
RAND TOUR
Italy, late 19th century
"Narcissus"
Patinated bronze cast by the Michele Amodio foundry of Naples, signed to base cast third quarter of 19th century
Item # 406SKN07W
An exceedingly fine cast after the Greco-Roman statue of Antiquity discovered in a non-descript house in Pompeii in 1862, the sculpture has been widely discussed as an image of Narcissus, while scholars have argued it is instead a depiction of Dionysus and more recently as a cast of Bacchus waving his finger with grapes dangling from it before an unseen panther. It was the last antique statue in Italy to be showered with such considerable worldwide renown and perhaps this is the reason for its popularity.
The sculpture depicts a young man standing entirely devoid of clothing other than a goatskin thrown over his shoulder, his full head of hair chaotic and unkempt as he stares down at something unseen on the ground before him.
It is this hollow stare and the pensive raised finger that has led scholars to attribute the image to Narcissus, the young man of great beauty loved by all who met him, but he was unwilling to return the same love to anyone. Because he treated those who loved him so poorly, the gods deemed Narcissus would never have anything he loved. One day, when Narcissus was hunting he stumbled across a stream and when he looked into its still waters he saw his own reflection and fell deeply in love with the image. He reached out to grab the figure, but could not grasp it. He stayed beside the stream without sleep or food, sharing every moment with this image, this singular being who captured his heart. And there he wasted away until he died beside the waters and transformed into a flower.
The philisophical statements of the myth underpin the very word Narcisism and make it a particularly compelling image to have at hand - a reminder of the perils of self-delusion.
The present example was cast during the third quarter of the 19th century by the Michele Amodio foundry in Naples, Italy. It is signed in beautiful script along the plane of the circular base. The surface is finished in an even very dark brown patination and exhibits a silky translucency throughout. Note the exceedingly well chiseled surface with exquisite hand-hammering to the hair throughout his head, very fine articulation of the fingernails and toenails and jeweler-grade casting and finishing to the intricate detail of his thongs.
Due to the popularity of the cast, it is rare that we actually find one that is compelling enough to purchase it for the gallery. This, however, is an exceedingly good cast and a fine treasure. Note the tiny hole below his abdomen that would have allowed the owner to install a grape leaf for modesty of the figure during the 19th century.
Measurements: 24 1/4" H x 9 1/4" W x 9 1/4" D
Condition Report: Minor handling wear and discoloration to the patina, mostly contained to the hair on his head; minor discolorations to the buttocks; would have had a removable grape-leaf originally, this now absent; sealed in conservator-grade wax, a very fine presentation ready to place.
About silla antiques & art
Established in 2009, we have available in our 9000 square foot brick-and-mortar gallery an ever-changing selection of carefully curated and catalogued furniture, decorative arts, paintings, sculpture and estate jewelry. Our company has long specialized in sculpture circa 1860 through 1930 and as such the gallery always has a very large collection of exceptional European and American sculpture available on display.
The gallery is located at 117 W Burd Street in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania and is open by appointment only. We welcome your visit and would love to meet with you at the shop. For clients located outside of the area, we are always available to discuss items by video conferencing or by phone.
- Dimensions:Height: 24.25 in (61.6 cm)Width: 9.25 in (23.5 cm)Depth: 9.25 in (23.5 cm)
- Style:Grand Tour (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Unknown
- Condition:Replacements made: See condition notes. Repaired: See condition notes.
- Seller Location:Shippensburg, PA
- Reference Number:Seller: 406SKN07W1stDibs: LU1059040491492
About the Seller
4.9
Recognized Seller
These prestigious sellers are industry leaders and represent the highest echelon for item quality and design.
Gold Seller
Premium sellers maintaining a 4.3+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 2009
1stDibs seller since 2014
501 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Shippensburg, PA
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllGrand Tour Italian Antique Bronze Sculpture of Narcissus by Giorgio Sommer
By Giorgio Sommer
Located in Shippensburg, PA
GRAND TOUR
Italy, late 19th century
"Narcissus"
Patinated bronze cast by the Giorgio Sommer foundry in Italy, original ink stamp to underside cast circa 1890-1910
stock ref. 406...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Grand Tour Bronze Sculpture Giuliano de Medici after the Antique, 19th century
Located in Shippensburg, PA
AFTER MICHELANGELO OF ANTIQUITY
Grand Tour Model of Giuliano de Medici from the Medici Chapel in Florence
Patinated sand-cast bronze numbered on the back corner "5505", otherwise u...
Category
Early 20th Century European Grand Tour Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Italian Grand Tour Antique Bronze Sculpture, Bust of Julius Caesar
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A finely cast and beautifully patinated bust of Julius Caesar, it likely originates from Rome circa the third quarter of the 19th century and rests over its original violet breché ma...
Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Busts
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Grand Tour 19th Century Marble Bust of Antinous as Hermes by Filli Pugi
Located in Shippensburg, PA
FILLI PUGI
Italian, fl. 19th century
Bust of the Capitoline Antinous after Antiquity
Carved Carrara Marble signed verso “Filli Pugi Firenze” executed circa late 19th century
Ite...
Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Busts
Materials
Carrara Marble
Grand Tour Marble Sculpture Statue Bust of Venus de Milo after the Antique
Located in Shippensburg, PA
GRAND TOUR MODEL OF VENUS DE MILO AFTER ANTIQUITY
Italian a late 19th to early 20th century copy of the original of Antiquity carved from a single block of Carrara marble unsigne...
Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Carrara Marble
French Bronze Sculpture Antique Bust of Greek Warrior, late 19th century
Located in Shippensburg, PA
FRENCH SCHOOL
4th qtr, 19th century
Bust of Greek Warrior
Patinated bronze unsigned cast circa late 19th century
Item # 304KEX30P
A fine ca...
Category
Antique 19th Century French Romantic Busts
Materials
Bronze
You May Also Like
Grand Tour Bronze Sculpture Of Narcissus Italian 19th Century
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century Grand Tour Bronze Sculpture of Narcissus. Narcissus is shown in a moment of self-reflection, standing in a contemplative pose. His idealized form highlights his youthful...
Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Italian Grand Tour Antique Bronze Sculpture of “Narcissus”
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Large 19th Century Grand Tour bronze sculpture of Narcissus after the original found in 1862 at Pompeii. Signed "Bucciano Napoli". When first found in Pompeii it was identified as Na...
Category
Antique 19th Century Classical Roman Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Narcissus Grand Tour Bronze Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Exceptionally modeled and cast antique (late 19th century) bronze statue of Narcissus, after the original ancient Greek, with dark brown patina and measuring 24 inches tall. Unsigned.
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Grand Tour Bronze Statue of Narcissus
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality Grand Tour patinated bronze figure of Narcissus, dating from the last quarter of the 19th century.
Narcissus was a hunter in Greek mythology and he was distinguished for his beauty.
This well patinated bronze classical figure...
Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Grand Tour sculpture of Narcissus, 19th c
Located in Stockholm, SE
This elegant 19th-century Grand Tour bronze sculpture represents Narcissus, the character from Greek mythology known for his beauty and self-admiration. Standing 65 cm high, the figu...
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Italian 19th Century Grand Tour Bronze Sculpture of Narcissus, after Pompeii
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An Italian 19th century grand tour - Greco Roman bronze sculpture of Narcissus, after the original sculpture excavated in 1862 at Pompeii. The green...
Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Greco Roman Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
$1,985 Sale Price
42% Off
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
19th Century Italian Jewelry
Antique Hand Saw
Antique Flower Brick
Antique Hammer Heads
Dangling Sculpture
Grand Tour Jewellery
Antique Hand Planer
19th Century Hunting Paintings
Heart Gold Hammered
Antique Wax Seal Jewelry
Antique Showers
Gold Fingernails
Dionysus Jewelry
Grand Tour Seal
Antique Painting Pompeii
Antique Shower
French Gilt Coffee Table
Gilded French Side Table