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Neoclassical Grand Tour Gilt Bronze Sphinx Sculpture C1820
Status:This item has been sold Sold by:Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd
Italian Grand Tour Gilt Bronze Sphinx Sculpture – Early 19th Century – Black Marble Base – 1.8kg
Subject & Medium:
This compelling Grand Tour-era bronze sculpture represents the Sphinx, one of antiquity’s most enduring and mysterious figures. C1820 from Italy.A composite creature with the body of a lion and the face of a serene woman, the Sphinx bridges ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman traditions. Revered as a guardian of sacred spaces and riddler of fate, the Sphinx was believed to possess immense wisdom and the power to ward off evil.
During the 18th and early 19th centuries, fascination with the classical world reached new heights. Aristocratic travellers on the Grand Tour collected bronze miniatures like this as tangible links to the mythologies and ruins they encountered. This sculpture embodies that cultural moment — a finely crafted tribute to the enduring allure of ancient myth, filtered through neoclassical ideals of symmetry, order, and allegorical meaning.
The ...sculpture is made from bronze, with gilt highlights resting elegantly on a black marble plinth, creating a visual dialogue between myth and refinement. Its patina — a rich, naturally aged bronze tone — enhances its sense of antiquity and authenticity.
Composition & Technique:
Executed in the neoclassical style typical of early 19th-century Grand Tour bronzes, this Sphinx is both stylized and idealized. Her body is depicted in a poised, symmetrical repose — a calm yet alert stance that suggests quiet strength. The feminine face, framed by stylized hair and a modest headdress, bears a classical serenity drawn more from Greco-Roman ideals than the harsher depictions found in ancient Egyptian sculpture.
The surface texture of the bronze is finely grained and matte, not overly polished — reflecting a sculptural vocabulary that emphasizes age and timelessness over flashy detail. Subtle variations in tone and depth are visible across the figure, where the patina has developed gently over two centuries. These details catch light softly and lend the piece an organic warmth.
The lion’s musculature is subtly defined, suggesting latent power beneath stillness. The sculptor has chosen restraint over flamboyance, achieving a quiet dignity appropriate to the Sphinx’s symbolic role as protector and enigma.
The marble base, smooth and rectilinear, offers a strong architectural counterpoint to the organic form above — a common technique in Grand Tour sculpture to suggest classical ideals of balance and harmony.
Attribution & Craftsmanship:
This piece is unsigned, which is typical of Grand Tour bronzes from the early 1800s. Such sculptures were often produced in specialized foundries in Rome, Florence, or Paris, where skilled artisans recreated classical motifs based on ancient fragments and statuary.
Rather than being the work of a single sculptor, these pieces were the result of collaborative craftsmanship, drawing on the talents of mold makers, bronze casters, and patina specialists. The precision and quality of this Sphinx reflect the high standards of those early workshops, where demand for mythological bronzes was driven by educated elites and aristocratic travelers seeking cultural souvenirs of enduring beauty and significance.
Though the individual artist remains unknown, the refinement of the casting, symmetry of the form, and elegant detailing suggest the hand of an accomplished neoclassical workshop familiar with both antiquity and modern tastes.
Provenance:
This sculpture was sourced from the respected George Johnson Antiques, formerly located on Westbourne Grove, London — a dealer known for offering museum-quality classical and Grand Tour pieces his partial label shown underneath the base. Their long-standing reputation in the London antiques trade adds a layer of credibility and prestige to this already remarkable work
Delivery shipping information
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD ship worldwide, using fully insured and online tracked delivery services like DHL, DPD, Parcelforce or Fedex also the British Shop. We offer Free national Delivery to England mainland, Wales mainland & Scottish lowland mainland areas only.
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We bespoke pack & wrap extremely carefully, so you can rest assured that your piece will arrive with you in great as described condition.
For larger paintings, antique furniture pieces, and fragile items which can not be sent via the normal postal services, we use professional door-to-door delivery providers, who will always strive to deliver your piece promptly, within approximate. 2-5 working days for the United Kingdom mainland & International delivery between 5-14 working days.
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We offer a 14-day money-back refund policy
(excluding the cost of Postage & Packaging costs & any duties, taxes customs charges paid on buyers behalf or buy the buyer direct ).
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Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD operates on a Delivery Duty Unpaid (DDU) basis which means that the International buyer is responsible for any import duties, taxes & customs clearance charges and any other customs charges which may be necessary to release an order from international customs.
Following the UK leaving the EU on 1st January 2021 (BREXIT) there have been some changes to customs & duty charges for EU customers. Tax and import duty varies from country to country so we recommend you check with your local tax office to see if any fees will be payable.
If the customer refuses to pay any duty and customs charges and the parcel is returned to sender all shipping charges will be deducted from any refund.
Internal Reference: 706
Antique ID Number (AIDN): SA1158610
Dateline of this antique is 19th Century
Height is 11cm (4.3inches)Width is 8cm (3.1inches)Depth is 17cm (6.7inches)
Antique SA1158610 shown on this page was made in the 19th Century. For historical context, the timeline below highlights the period when it was created:
19th Century
ANTIQUE SA1158610
CONTACT DETAILS OF SELLER:
Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd
Source the Historic in 17th, 18th, 19th & 20th century fine arts, painting, sculptures & collectibles
London
United Kingdom
Tel: 07494 763 382
STATUS
THIS ITEM HAS BEEN SOLD
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