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PAIR OF SOMMER FOUNDRY NARCISSUS & VENUS CALLIPYGIAN BRONZE STATUES & PEDESTALSs
$20,298.76per set
£14,950per set
€17,539.92per set
CA$28,450.85per set
A$30,902.78per set
CHF 16,360.44per set
MX$373,131.88per set
NOK 204,243.42per set
SEK 193,488.21per set
DKK 130,969.11per set
About the Item
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this museum quality pair of Sommer Foundry Naples Verdigris Bronze statues of Narcissus & Venus Callipygian seated on Marble topped, Mahogany carved Corinthian pillars as displayed in the National Trust
Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, for the UK it covers London only, for the rest of the world, it covers local Europe which is the east side of Belgium and France, if you are outside of these areas, please ask for a shipping quote before you bid
These are the finest examples of this type of work I have seen in a very long time, each piece is stamped and comes with a wonderfully green bronze finish which is only achieved through honest age. The bases are as mentioned hand carved Mahogany with inset Marble panels
I will include a full description below of each piece, the headlines are they are in perfect condition, they display wonderfully, the bases are 100% solid, these are gallery ready
Dimensions of the plinths
Height:- 114cm
Width:- 34cm
Depth:- 34cm
Dimensions of the statues
Height:- 62cm & 64cm
Width:- 25cm & 23.5cm
Depth:- 25cm & 25cm
Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point, if you would like any additional or specific measurements please ask.
Narcissus
After the antique, cast by the Giorgio Sommer Foundry The figure with raised right hand with a wine sack slung over his left shoulder, on foliate cast circular base, inscribed, FONDERIA ARTISTICA SOMMER NAPOLI
The bronze figure of Narcissus was unearthed in 1862 during excavations at Pompeii and is now housed in the Museo Nazionale in Naples. It is identified by his contemplative gaze which is likely directed at his own reflection and the gesture of his raised hand. The cast of the nude youth was depicted with a goat skin and an ivy wreath, blending naturalistic detail with idealized form. In the 19th century, the figure inspired numerous productions, particularly among Grand Tour travelers and was cast extensively by all three major Neapolitan foundries.
Literature F. Haskell and N. Penny, Taste and the Antique - The Lure of Classical Sculpture 1500-1900, New Haven and London, 1981, pp. 271, fig. 141.
Venus Callipygian
GRAND TOUR MODEL AFTER ANTIQUITY Naples, Italy (19th Century) "The Callipygian Venus"
A beautifully cast Grand Tour piece of the Callipygian Venus after the life-size statue of antiquity, the sculpture was executed by the boutique foundry established by Giorgio Sommer (German/Italian, 1834-1914) for the casting of sculpture in bronze and later the carving of sculpture in marble.
Giorgio Sommer was a German photographer who spent most of his career in Italy, moving to Naples in 1857 where he first established his photography business. At some point thereafter he opened the foundry, which was rather successful, likely due to the very fine quality of output the firm produced. While most records show the foundry opened in 1885, sources suggest they were producing sculpture early in the 1870s before exhibiting in 1885. Thereafter they produced illustrated catalogues of their sculpture for marketing and distribution. He died in 1914 and the foundry survived him only two years before closing its doors in 1916.
The present example is a richly detailed model with extensive carving and articulation of the underlying model; note the rich stylus work in Venus's hair, the handiwork apparent in the repeating motif around the base and the raised signature of the foundry, which is captured directly from the mold and not simply cold-tooled onto the base.
The surface throughout is characterized by perfection: smooth and exquisitely finished garments and skin all finished in a medium-brown translucent patina. The model depicts the Callipygian Venus, also known as the Venus Kallipygos or the Aphrodite Kallipygos. The term "Callipygian" is derived from the Greek words "kallos" meaning beautiful, and "pyge" meaning buttocks.
The original is an ancient Roman marble statue, itself a copy of an earlier Greek statue from the Hellenistic era. The sculpture depicts Venus (or Aphrodite in Greek mythology) looking back and lifting her drapery to reveal her lower back and buttocks. This subject was popular among tourists on the Grand Tour during the 18th and 19th centuries. Travelers would commission or purchase such artworks as mementos that reflected the cultural heritage they encountered on their journeys throughout Europe, especially in Italy.
Such sculptures were admired not only for their aesthetic appeal but also for their cultural and historical significance, embodying the Neoclassical appreciation for the art and mythology of antiquity that was prevalent during the Grand Tour period.
Literature: An excellent discussion on Fonderia Sommer can be found at Art UK rooted in original source material. Click here to read more on the foundry and Giorgio Sommer's photography
Any questions please feel free to ask before you bid.
Condition
Please view the very detailed pictures as they form part of the description around condition
Please note vintage period and original items such as leather seating will always have natural patina in the form of cracking creasing and wear, we recommend regular waxing to ensure no moisture is lost, also hand dyed leather is not recommended to sit in direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time as it will dry out and fade.
- Creator:Fonderia Sommer Napoli (Artist)
- Dimensions:Height: 24.41 in (62 cm)Width: 9.85 in (25 cm)Depth: 9.85 in (25 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Victorian (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:19th century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading.
- Seller Location:West Sussex, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2823346977042
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