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ID #SA1181141
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£750
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Grand Tour Pugilists After Canova
Cella
for sale €878     $953
£750

Cella

Sellingantiques Verified Since May 2019
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    Specialists in the grand tour and french decorative objects, clocks and furniture, circa 1780-1880.
Id #SA1181141
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Grand Tour Pugilists After Canova

19th century
For Sale by Cella
Description

Super pair of 19th century Grand Tour patinated cabinet bronzes of the 'Pugilists', Creugas of Durres and Damoxenos of Syracuse after the originals by Canova. In 1795 Canova began working on the preparatory drawings of these subjects for sculptures. A year later, in 1796, both models were completed. In 1802, the two statues, along with Perseus, were purchased by Pope Pius VII and can be seen to this day in the famous Octagonal Courtyard in the Vatican in Rome. Nicely detailed, rich brown patina. Portasanta marble block base with central posts so the bronzes can be turned. Very decorative. French or Italian, circa 1890.

Physical Dimensions
Height
14.5cm (5.71")
Width
6.2cm (2.44")
Depth
6.2cm (2.44")
Declaration

Cella has dated these Grand Tour Bronze Pugilists to the 1890s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1181141
Dealers Internal Reference
CA1053
Dealers Notes

Based in London, we are dealers in fine decorative antiques from the 18th and 19th centuries. We specialise in this era of enlightenment, neoclassicism and the Grand Tour, with its far reaching influence on style and taste in Britain, Continental Europe and beyond: elegance in the age of Napoleon. Our extensive stock covers all aspects of this period and decorative antiques influenced by the period. We constantly source new, beautiful items and upload to our site regularly. We are first and foremost antique collectors with over thirty years of experience; we only buy what we love and we hope you will too. Additional images can be supplied on request. More items are available on our website http://www.cellantiques.co.uk. We ship worldwide.

Description
Super pair of 19th century Grand Tour patinated cabinet bronzes of the 'Pugilists', Creugas of Durres and Damoxenos of Syracuse after the originals by Canova. In 1795 Canova began working on the preparatory drawings of these subjects for sculptures. A year later, in 1796, both models were completed.
In 1802, the two statues, along with Perseus, were purchased by Pope Pius VII and can be seen to this day in the famous Octagonal Courtyard in the Vatican in Rome.
Cella

Nicely detailed, rich brown patina. Portasanta marble block base with central posts so the bronzes can be turned. Very decorative. French or Italian, circa 1890.

Height
14.5cm (5.71")
Width
6.2cm (2.44")
Depth
6.2cm (2.44")
Date of Manufacture

Cella has dated these Grand Tour Bronze Pugilists to the 1890s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1181141
Dealers Internal Ref
CA1053
Cella
Sellingantiques verified Since May 2019

Specialists in the grand tour and french decorative objects, clocks and furniture, circa 1780-1880.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Cella Profile Page

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A pair of patinated dark bronze sculptures depicting classical male pugilists in athletic poses on rectangular veined marble bases.
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Archive I A pair of patinated dark bronze sculptures depicting classical male pugilists in athletic poses on rectangular veined marble bases.

Grand Tour Pugilists after Canova

Archive II A pair of patinated dark bronze sculptures depicting classical male pugilists in athletic poses on rectangular veined marble bases. View II
Archive III A pair of patinated dark bronze sculptures depicting classical male pugilists in athletic poses on rectangular veined marble bases. View III
Archive IV A pair of patinated dark bronze sculptures depicting classical male pugilists in athletic poses on rectangular veined marble bases. View IV
Archive V A pair of patinated dark bronze sculptures depicting classical male pugilists in athletic poses on rectangular veined marble bases. View V
Archive VI A pair of patinated dark bronze sculptures depicting classical male pugilists in athletic poses on rectangular veined marble bases. View VI
Archive VII A pair of patinated dark bronze sculptures depicting classical male pugilists in athletic poses on rectangular veined marble bases. View VII
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Telephone 020 8299 4945
Location
London
United Kingdom
Verified Since May 2019
Items For Sale 75
Items Sold 300
Cella
Verified Since May 2019
View Dealer Info
Location: London, United Kingdom
Verified
May 2019
For Sale
75
Sold
300
A pair of patinated dark bronze sculptures depicting classical male pugilists in athletic poses on rectangular veined marble bases.
Grand Tour Pugilists after Canova
Ref: SA1181141
A pair of patinated dark bronze sculptures depicting classical male pugilists in athletic poses on rectangular veined marble bases.
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Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

Grand Tour bronze pugilists are 19th-century scale reproductions of the neoclassical statues Creugas and Damoxenos by Italian sculptor Antonio Canova. These statues depict ancient Greek boxers in stance and were acquired by aristocratic travellers touring continental Europe.

These figures were typically cast in solid bronze using lost-wax or sand casting methods, finished with dark chemical patination, and mounted onto carved marble or stone bases.

Authentic period examples exhibit detailed anatomical chasing, subtle surface oxidisation, age-appropriate wear to high points on the patina, and original threaded iron rods securing the bronze to period marble plinths.

These sculptural pairs work effectively as structural accents on a mahogany library desk, an open bookshelf, or a stone mantelpiece, offering classic historical contrast within modern or traditional interiors.

Dust the surfaces gently with a soft microfibre cloth and apply a thin layer of neutral microcrystalline wax to the bronze once a year to prevent tarnishing and safeguard the patina.
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