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Pair French Empire 19th-20th Century Red Porphyry-Like Granite & Ormolu Obelisks

$49,850per set
$125,000per set60% Off
£37,079.97per set
£92,978.87per set60% Off
€43,413.32per set
€108,859.88per set60% Off
CA$69,557.68per set
CA$174,417.45per set60% Off
A$77,836.99per set
A$195,178.02per set60% Off
CHF 40,642.82per set
CHF 101,912.79per set60% Off
MX$956,924.83per set
MX$2,399,510.60per set60% Off
NOK 512,756.05per set
NOK 1,285,747.36per set60% Off
SEK 482,500.91per set
SEK 1,209,881.93per set60% Off
DKK 323,896.66per set
DKK 812,178.19per set60% Off
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About the Item

A Monumental and Fine Pair of French 19th, 20th Century Empire Style Red Porphyry-Like Granite and Gilt-Bronze (Ormolu) Mounted Obelisks on Four Gilt-Bronze Lion Paws both resting on conforming porphyry and black slate plinths surmounted with allegorical Empire gilt-bronze mounts, circa 1900. Overall Height: 77 inches (196 cm) Slate Bottom Base: 19 inches x 19 inches (48.3 x 48.3 cm) An obelisk is a tall, four-sided, narrow tapering monument which ends in a pyramid-like shape at the top. These were originally called "tekhenu" by the builders, the Ancient Egyptians. The Greeks who saw them used the Greek 'obeliskos' to describe them, and this word passed into Latin and then English. Ancient obelisks were often monolithic, whereas most modern obelisks are made of several stones and can have interior spaces. Obelisks have been erected througout time as an Imperial and Solar symbol which also had the practical function for determining landmarks or special locations. Granite porphyry is a hypabyssal rock differing from a quartz porphyry by the presence of sparse phenocrysts of mica, amphibole, or pyroxene in a medium- to fine-grained groundmass. Granite is a very hard natural igneous rock formation of visibly crystalline texture formed essentially of quartz and orthoclase or microcline and used especially for building and for monuments. Porphyry has been prized since antiquity for its lustrous colour (the word derives from the Greek for purple) and remarkable hardness. The Romans imported porphyry in great quantities from ancient Egypt, using it both in architectural schemes and to carve portrait busts. Its rich purple colour, the Imperial symbol of power, was no doubt of special significance in ancient Rome and with the rediscovery of classical Rome in the Renaissance period, the potent symbolism of porphyry was prized once again, and it was avidly collected by powerful figures such as the Medicis, Louis XIV (who had a buying agent in Rome for his acquisitions), as well as the cardinals de Richelieu and Mazarin. The term "porphyry" is from Greek and means "purple". Purple was the color of royalty, and the "Imperial Porphyry" was a deep purple igneous rock with large crystals of plagioclase. The rock was the hardest known in antiquity and was prized for monuments and building projects in Imperial Rome and later.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 77 in (195.58 cm)Width: 19 in (48.26 cm)Depth: 19 in (48.26 cm)
  • Sold As:
    Set of 2
  • Style:
    Empire Revival (In the Style Of)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
    1900-1909
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1900
  • Condition:
    Repaired: Some in-filling restoration on the edge chippings. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor fading. Overall condition good, some age chipping losses on the side edges of each obelisk and age scratches and wear. Four pieces total (two obelisks and two pedestals). Very attractive and decorative.
  • Seller Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: Ref.: A20111stDibs: LU179624033303

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