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ID #SA1209401
FOR SALE
£1,200
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Late 19th Century Grand Tour Neapolitan Bronze Figure of Narcissus with Dark Green Patination
LVS Decorative Arts
for sale €1,404     $1,524
£1,200
LVS Decorative Arts

LVS Decorative Arts

Sellingantiques Verified Since May 2011
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    LVS Decorative Arts is a registered member of LAPADA  CINOA
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Id #SA1209401
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Late 19th Century Grand Tour Neapolitan Bronze Figure of Narcissus with Dark Green Patination

19th century
Description

A late 19th century (circa 1880) Grand Tour Neapolitan bronze figure of Narcissus or Bacchus, after the Antique, with dark green patination.

This figure was long thought to be that of Narcissus, however the grapes in his hair and the animal skin draped over his shoulder does suggest it is in fact a figure of Bacchus, Roman god of wine, after a model by Vincenzo Gemito (1852-1929).

The figure standing naked with a wreath of grapes and leaves in his hair, a goat skin wine sack over his shoulder, sandals on his feet, all supported on a typical Neapolitan design circular base.

The original Roman bronze was discovered in 1862 in a house in Pompeii and was the last antique statue to be discovered in Italy, now in the Museo Nazionale, Naples.

Many described it as probably the most beautiful bronze to be found in Pompeii and the figure was widely copied during the Grand Tour in the late 19th century.

Narcissus was an incredibly handsome hunter, known for his beauty, it is said that he took a drink of water from a pool and noticed his reflection in the water and fell in love with it and when he realised it was purely an image of himself he eventually died.

Bacchus the Roman God of wine or Dionysus the Greek God of wine was usually depicted with grapes and vines in his hair with a goat skin over his shoulder.

This bronze figure is in very good condition for age, is of stable construction and can go straight into a home.

Size:

Height: 14'' / 35.5cm

Width: 6'' / 15.25cm

Depth: 6'' / 15.25cm

Physical Dimensions
Height
35.5cm (13.98")
Width
15.2cm (5.98")
Depth
15.2cm (5.98")
Declaration

LVS Decorative Arts has dated this Grand Tour Bronze Narcissus to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1209401
Dealers Internal Reference
LVS1396
Dealers Notes

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LVS Decorative Arts is a small family run business based in Suffolk, specialising in an eclectic mix of fine quality and decorative antiques from around the world.

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LAPADA & CINOA member

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All furniture is professionally restored to the highest of standards, using traditional methods, we feel that quality restoration is paramount to the longevity of the piece.

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INSURED DELIVERY INCLUDED IN LIST PRICE WITHIN MAINLAND UK FOR A ONE MAN COURIER SERVICE

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Worldwide shipping available, please contact us for a free quote to include professional packing and fully insured services

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PLEASE NOTE: viewing is 'By Appointment' only - please contact Liza a few days in advance to arrange this.

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Payments are accepted by bank transfer or cheque

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Please contact us if any further high definition photographs are required or please visit our own website as follows where you can zoom in on the photos:

www.lvsdecorativearts.co.uk

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You can contact Liza either by email lvsdecorativearts@btinternet.com or telephone 07703306451

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Please bear in mind: antique items for sale may have some wear and marks commensurate with their age which adds to the character of the piece.

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Thank you for viewing our stock and please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need any further information.

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Description
A late 19th century (circa 1880) Grand Tour Neapolitan bronze figure of Narcissus or Bacchus, after the Antique, with dark green patination.

This figure was long thought to be that of Narcissus, however the grapes in his hair and the animal skin draped over his shoulder does suggest it is in fact a figure of Bacchus, Roman god of wine, after a model by Vincenzo Gemito (1852-1929).

“
The figure standing naked with a wreath of grapes and leaves in his hair, a goat skin wine sack over his shoulder, sandals on his feet, all supported on a typical Neapolitan design circular base.
LVS Decorative Arts
fig 1. A late nineteenth-century dark green patinated bronze figure depicting the youth Narcissus standing on a circular plinth.
fig 1. Late 19th Century Grand Tour Neapolitan Bronze Figure of Narcissus with Dark Green Patination

The original Roman bronze was discovered in 1862 in a house in Pompeii and was the last antique statue to be discovered in Italy, now in the Museo Nazionale, Naples.

Many described it as probably the most beautiful bronze to be found in Pompeii and the figure was widely copied during the Grand Tour in the late 19th century.

fig 2. A late nineteenth-century dark green patinated bronze figure depicting the youth Narcissus standing on a circular plinth.
fig 2. Late 19th Century Grand Tour Neapolitan Bronze Figure of Narcissus with Dark Green Patination

Narcissus was an incredibly handsome hunter, known for his beauty, it is said that he took a drink of water from a pool and noticed his reflection in the water and fell in love with it and when he realised it was purely an image of himself he eventually died.

fig 3. A late nineteenth-century dark green patinated bronze figure depicting the youth Narcissus standing on a circular plinth.
fig 3. Late 19th Century Grand Tour Neapolitan Bronze Figure of Narcissus with Dark Green Patination

Bacchus the Roman God of wine or Dionysus the Greek God of wine was usually depicted with grapes and vines in his hair with a goat skin over his shoulder.

This bronze figure is in very good condition for age, is of stable construction and can go straight into a home.

Size:

Height: 14'' / 35.5cm

Width: 6'' / 15.25cm

Depth: 6'' / 15.25cm

Height
35.5cm (13.98")
Width
15.2cm (5.98")
Depth
15.2cm (5.98")
Date of Manufacture

LVS Decorative Arts has dated this Grand Tour Bronze Narcissus to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1209401
Dealers Internal Ref
LVS1396
LVS Decorative Arts
LVS Decorative Arts
Sellingantiques verified Since May 2011
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the LVS Decorative Arts Profile Page

Trade Associations

LVS Decorative Arts is a registered member of LAPADA  CINOA

Relevant Links
PDF SHARE
SAVE
A late nineteenth-century dark green patinated bronze figure depicting the youth Narcissus standing on a circular plinth.
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Archive I A late nineteenth-century dark green patinated bronze figure depicting the youth Narcissus standing on a circular plinth.

Late 19th Century Grand Tour Neapolitan Bronze Figure of Narcissus with Dark Green Patination

Archive II A late nineteenth-century dark green patinated bronze figure depicting the youth Narcissus standing on a circular plinth. View II
Archive III A late nineteenth-century dark green patinated bronze figure depicting the youth Narcissus standing on a circular plinth. View III
Archive IV A late nineteenth-century dark green patinated bronze figure depicting the youth Narcissus standing on a circular plinth. View IV
Archive V A late nineteenth-century dark green patinated bronze figure depicting the youth Narcissus standing on a circular plinth. View V
Archive VI A late nineteenth-century dark green patinated bronze figure depicting the youth Narcissus standing on a circular plinth. View VI
Archive VII A late nineteenth-century dark green patinated bronze figure depicting the youth Narcissus standing on a circular plinth. View VII
Archive VIII A late nineteenth-century dark green patinated bronze figure depicting the youth Narcissus standing on a circular plinth. View VIII
Archive IX A late nineteenth-century dark green patinated bronze figure depicting the youth Narcissus standing on a circular plinth. View IX
Archive X A late nineteenth-century dark green patinated bronze figure depicting the youth Narcissus standing on a circular plinth. View X
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LVS Decorative Arts

LVS Decorative Arts
Telephone 07703 306451
Location
Suffolk
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/lvs
Verified Since May 2011
Items For Sale 234
Items Sold 1,083
LVS Decorative Arts
LVS Decorative Arts
Verified Since May 2011
View Dealer Info
Location: Suffolk, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/lvs
Verified
May 2011
For Sale
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Sold
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A late nineteenth-century dark green patinated bronze figure depicting the youth Narcissus standing on a circular plinth.
Late 19th century Grand Tour Neapolitan bronze figure of Narcissus with dark green patination
Ref: SA1209401
A late nineteenth-century dark green patinated bronze figure depicting the youth Narcissus standing on a circular plinth.
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FAQs

Grand Tour bronze sculptures are scale replicas of ancient Greek, Roman, and Renaissance statues created primarily in Italy during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. They were acquired by European aristocracy and grand tourists as educational mementos of their travels across classical cultural sites.

Neapolitan foundries traditionally utilised the lost-wax (cire perdue) casting method to reproduce classical statues discovered at Pompeii and Herculaneum. The cast metal was then hand-chased and finished with distinct chemical patinations to emulate aged, excavated bronze.

Authentic pieces display heavy hand-cast weight, fine chasing detail in hair and drapery, and subtle wear patterns to the patination. Look for seamless joinery, original casting core remnants inside hollow bases, and chemical patinas rather than painted finishes.

Classical bronzes provide visual weight and historic contrast when placed on modern sideboards, marble fireplaces, or structured bookshelves. Pairing metal statuary with dark wood, leather, or crisp contemporary backdrops highlights their figurative silhouettes.

Dust regularly using a soft, dry camel-hair brush or lint-free cloth, avoiding liquid solvents and chemical polish that strip historical patination. To protect against atmospheric oxidation, apply a thin coat of clear microcrystalline wax annually and buff gently.
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