What is a Borghese Gladiator bronze sculpture?

The Borghese Gladiator is a famous Hellenistic life-size marble sculpture created around 100 BC, depicting a warrior lunging against a mounted opponent. During the nineteenth century, reduced bronze reproductions were cast in France for collectors undertaking the Grand Tour.

How were nineteenth-century French bronzes constructed?

Nineteenth-century French bronze sculptures were typically produced using the lost-wax or sand-casting method, followed by hand-chasing to refine anatomical details. The patinated metal figure was subsequently mounted onto a natural stone or marble plinth using threaded metal rods.

How can authentic nineteenth-century bronze reproductions be identified?

Period castings feature precise hand-finished details, defined anatomical modelling, and patination showing subtle surface wear in high-relief areas. Castings often display foundry marks along the integral bronze base alongside traditional threaded fixings beneath the marble plinth.

How can a classical bronze sculpture be styled in a modern interior?

A classical bronze statue can serve as a focal point on a dark wood sideboard, marble mantelpiece, or within a library bookshelf. Positioning the dark metal patina against light neutral backgrounds accentuates its dynamic silhouette.

How should an antique bronze sculpture be cleaned and maintained?

Dust the bronze regularly with a soft, dry microfibre cloth or soft bristle brush to clear crevices. Avoid chemical solvents, water, or abrasive polishes, applying a microcrystalline wax sparingly once a year to protect the surface patina from oxidisation.

for sale €4,037 $4,382

£3,450

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19th Century French Borghese Gladiator Bronze of Large Scale

Name: 19th Century French Borghese Gladiator Bronze of Large Scale
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1211946
Price: 3450 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Loveday Antiques

Description

A finely cast large scale bronze of the Borghese Gladiator with exceptional patina

French c.1830-50

Due to the particularly fine casting of our piece, it seems likely that it is a French-made rather than Italian bronze though it is difficult to be entirely certain of its origin. Our piece has an exceptional patina and stands on a veneered marble base. The Borghese Gladiator quickly became one of the "must see" items on a wealthy visitor's Grand Tour with fine life size and smaller reductions of the piece in some of the most important houses in the world. One was the centrepiece of the sculpture collection at Wilton House, a house renowned for the quality of its sculptural holdings, until this was given to Sir Robeert Walpole who installed it at Houghton. Other versions are at Petworth, Knole and Windsor Castle and there are references showing that Thomas Jefferson imagined a copy of the piece as the ideal centrepiece for a sculpture gallery at Monticello.

The piece appears in a number of important paintings, a particularly evocative example being a work by Joseph Wright of Derby showing a group of connoisseurs inspecting a reduction of the figure on a table by candlelight.

Our bronze figure, of large size, depicts a swordsman, missing his sword as is the case with the original sculpture, probably in the process of defending himself against a mounted assailant. The original sculpture was incorrectly restored at one point and made to look like a gladiator with a small shield and sword which have since been removed but the gladiatorial name has stuck despite it being factually inaccurate.

The original bronze is signed by Agasias, son of Dositheus, of whom nothing else is known. It is believed to have been made around 100 BC in Ephesus. The piece once formed part of the collections in the Borghese Villa in Rome until it was sold, under some duress, to Napoleon Bonaparte in 1807. At that point it was removed to Paris and is now in the Louvre.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borghese_Gladiator#/media/File:Three_Persons_Viewing_the_Gladiator_by_Candlelight.jpg

We are delighted to be able to offer this fine example.

Width: 19 1/2 inches - 50cm

Height: 21 1/4 inches - 54cm

Depth: 12 inches - 30cm

Physical Dimensions

Height

54cm (21.26")

Width

50cm (19.69")

Depth

30cm (11.81")

Declaration

Loveday Antiques has dated this Borghese Gladiator Bronze Sculpture to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1211946

Dealers Internal Reference

3041

Dealers Notes

Loveday Antiques is a family run business originally established since 1969 in London.

Now in its second generation, Loveday Antiques specialises in an eclectic mix of 18th to 20th Century European furniture and works of art, with a strong emphasis on quality, uniqueness and colour.

As proud members of BADA & LAPADA, the largest association for professional art and antique dealers in the United Kingdom and members of CINOA, the worldwide association for antique dealers you can buy from us with 100% confidence and reassurance as we are committed to upholding and abiding by the strict standards of each association.

Our clients can rest assured that each item is as described and photographed.

All Items are sold with 100% satisfaction 14 day money back guarantee, return delivery will be charged for.

We deliver within the UK for usually between £60-£80 and ship worldwide with professional bespoke crating via air to almost all locations. Please contact us at Loveday Antiques with your full postal address for a very competitive quote.

Delivery within the mainland UK will usually be with 7 to 14 days but please allow up to 28 days. We also ship worldwide with a professional bespoke crating service and large International couriers via air and sea to almost all locations. Please contact us at Loveday Antiques with your full postal address for a very competitive quote.

GOODS

All items listed are in excellent condition having been restored using traditional methods by experienced cabinet makers and polishers keeping the original colour and patina wherever possible.

Please bear in mind you may find the usual markings with antique furniture that are commensurate with age which all add to beauty and uniqueness of the item.

VIEWINGS

We have a reputation for being long established antique dealers in London having had showrooms concurrently running in Islington, Chelsea and Ascot. We have relocated our new showroom, due to London overheads, easily reached between A1 or A10 to just outside of Hertford, Hertfordshire.

We will happily arrange for clients to be collected travelling via train. Local stations being Hertford North, Stevenage and Ware, all being a 10 minute drive from us.

Please contact us for location and appointments.

Telephone: 01438 869 819

Payments accepted are Bank Transfer, Cheque, Major Credit Cards or Cash.

Opening Times

Monday to Saturday 9.00am - 5.30pm Please email or call beforehand to make an appointment.

If outside of these times again please call to make an appointment

We have more than 40 years experience in supplying Antique furniture to the trade, public and interior designers from all parts of the world so please buy with confidence as we have passed the test of time.

Description

A finely cast large scale bronze of the Borghese Gladiator with exceptional patina

French c.1830-50

“

Due to the particularly fine casting of our piece, it seems likely that it is a French-made rather than Italian bronze though it is difficult to be entirely certain of its origin.

Loveday Antiques

Our piece has an exceptional patina and stands on a veneered marble base. The Borghese Gladiator quickly became one of the "must see" items on a wealthy visitor's Grand Tour with fine life size and smaller reductions of the piece in some of the most important houses in the world. One was the centrepiece of the sculpture collection at Wilton House, a house renowned for the quality of its sculptural holdings, until this was given to Sir Robeert Walpole who installed it at Houghton. Other versions are at Petworth, Knole and Windsor Castle and there are references showing that Thomas Jefferson imagined a copy of the piece as the ideal centrepiece for a sculpture gallery at Monticello.

fig 1. A dark bronze figure of the Borghese Gladiator posed in a forward lunge, mounted on a rectangular cream marble base. — fig 1. 19th Century French Borghese Gladiator Bronze of Large Scale

The piece appears in a number of important paintings, a particularly evocative example being a work by Joseph Wright of Derby showing a group of connoisseurs inspecting a reduction of the figure on a table by candlelight.

fig 2. A dark bronze figure of the Borghese Gladiator posed in a forward lunge, mounted on a rectangular cream marble base. — fig 2. 19th Century French Borghese Gladiator Bronze of Large Scale

Our bronze figure, of large size, depicts a swordsman, missing his sword as is the case with the original sculpture, probably in the process of defending himself against a mounted assailant. The original sculpture was incorrectly restored at one point and made to look like a gladiator with a small shield and sword which have since been removed but the gladiatorial name has stuck despite it being factually inaccurate.

fig 3. A dark bronze figure of the Borghese Gladiator posed in a forward lunge, mounted on a rectangular cream marble base. — fig 3. 19th Century French Borghese Gladiator Bronze of Large Scale

The original bronze is signed by Agasias, son of Dositheus, of whom nothing else is known. It is believed to have been made around 100 BC in Ephesus. The piece once formed part of the collections in the Borghese Villa in Rome until it was sold, under some duress, to Napoleon Bonaparte in 1807. At that point it was removed to Paris and is now in the Louvre.