Early, Large and Fine Grand Tour Serpentine Sculpture of the Dying Gaul C. 1850

A beautiful and large hand carved Italian green serpentine marble sculpture of the original early Roman statue, of life size, which was discovered in 1622 at Villa Ludousi and then restored by Michaelangelo. It is now held in the Capitoine Museum in Rome.

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The sculpture is of a gladiator mortally wounded, defeated and laying across his shield, his short sword set down on the ground, his neck adorned with a twisted gold torq.

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During the 18th and 19th centuries faithful copies of the figure were made in bronze and hand carved marble for European nobility and patrons as well as for wealthy young aristocrats who undertook the ‘Grand Tour’ of Europe and took home these beautiful items for their collections.

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Serpentine examples of this large size and in such excellent original condition are rare and this one is unusual and fine in several aspects. The figure is extremely well carved, the Gaul’s features are very beautiful and defined, and the extended ground where he lays has been etched and left matt, earth like, against his polished shield and sword. A bright ribbon from the shield spreads across the ground and the handle of his shield is detached – perhaps allowing his opponent to inflict the wound.

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These sculptures are usually set on shallow bases but here there is a second serpentine plinth, also original, and an exact match for shape. The base of the figure has a slight hollowing out and it would appear to have been made to allow a secret compartment between the two plinths.

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The lower solid serpentine plinth with small nicks to the upper edge and a baize lining to the base. The principal sculpture and its plinth in superb original condition with no losses, nicks or damage.

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Hand carved, a mid-19th century unique piece - as no two can ever be the same.

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Heavy and with a beautiful natural dark green colour.

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A remarkably beautiful and tactile sculpture.

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Dimensions are:

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13.5 inches wide, 6.5 inches deep and 8.5 inches high.

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For metric please multiply by 2.5

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