Fine early C19th Italian �Grand Tour� souvenir carved giallo antico marble reduction of the sarcophagus of Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus.High quality carved marble model of the inscribed sarcophagus tomb of Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus ( c.337 BC-270 BC) , Roman consul in 298 B.C .and celebrated conqueror of the Etruscans at the Battle of Volterra . Here modelled as an inkstand , the original once located in the Tomb of the Scipios , the patrician Scipio family of the Roman republic , was discovered in 1780 on the Appian Way , is now exhibited in the Vatican Museums , Rome , Italy . The name is incised on the front edge of the lid and the epitaph is on the front of the sarcophagus , clearly and precisely written in Old Latin Saturnian verse. The blackened lettering being skilfully incised and legible .A Doric-style decorative entablature panel is above the inscription featuring crisply carved roses alternating with architectural triglyphs and guttae . The top of the sarcophagus with carved palm-scroll detail ends .The well-chosen high-grade prized giallo antico marble having striking colour and figuring . �Marmo giallo antico� was one of the most favoured marbles of the Roman Empire and was mined at Chemou , Tunisia , ancient Numidia . Mounted on a contrasting slab block of black marble . The lift-off lid revealing a recessed compartment , divided as a pen tray flanked by two ink-wells . In excellent original condition , with only minor historic frits or chips to the edges . A fine quality example in exceptionally well-preserved condition , having been produced in the first quarter of the C19th in Rome as an expensive souvenir for wealthy tourists completing the �Grand Tour� of the classical sites and sights of Italy and Europe .H 5.5�D 2.5�W 8�Italy , Rome c.1820Established in the Cathedral City of Worcester for over 40 years ,M.Lees&Sons , run by Michael Lees ,have been dealing with public and trade from show...