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sellingantiques.co.uk
ID #SA1231351
FOR SALE
£2,400
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Finely Carved Italian Grand Tour Verdo Prato Figure of ‘Arrotino’ or ‘The Knife Sharpener’
LVS Decorative Arts
for sale €2,808     $3,048
£2,400
LVS Decorative Arts

LVS Decorative Arts

Sellingantiques Verified Since May 2011
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Id #SA1231351
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Finely Carved Italian Grand Tour Verdo Prato Figure of ‘Arrotino’ or ‘The Knife Sharpener’

19th century
Description

A finely carved Italian 19th century (circa 1870) Italian Grand Tour verde Prato or serpentine figure of ‘Arrotino’ known as The Knife or Blade Sharpener, probably from The Grand Tour.

This figure consists of ‘Arrotino’ in seated position sharpening his knife or blade on a whetstone with a cloak over his shoulder.

The figure is in two pieces, the figure is supported on a separate solid plinth base.

The marble statue of this subject is in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, it is a Roman copy of a Hellenistic statue although due to the wonderful craftsmanship it was long believed to be an original Greek sculpture.

The verde Prato serpentine stone has been quarried for centuries near to Prato, northwest of Florence in Italy, the stone was so named due to the resemblance to the skin of a serpent.

This figure is a very decorative piece, it is in good condition for age, is of stable construction and can go straight into a home or collection - old fractures and repairs in his right arm and missing thumb on left hand can be seen in our photographs - it is not uncommon for serpentine items to have some damage or losses due to the fragility of the stone.

Size:

Height 16'' / 40.5cm

Width 11'' / 28cm

Depth 6.75'' / 16cm

Physical Dimensions
Height
40.5cm (15.94")
Width
28cm (11.02")
Depth
16cm (6.30")
Declaration

LVS Decorative Arts has dated this Grand Tour Marble Sculpture to the 1870s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1231351
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 finely carved Italian 19th century (circa 1870) Italian Grand Tour verde Prato or serpentine figure of ‘Arrotino’ known as The Knife or Blade Sharpener, probably from The Grand Tour.
“
This figure consists of ‘Arrotino’ in seated position sharpening his knife or blade on a whetstone with a cloak over his shoulder.
LVS Decorative Arts
fig 1. A dark green carved marble sculpture of the classical crouching figure Arrotino mounted on a rectangular plinth.
fig 1. Finely Carved Italian Grand Tour Verdo Prato Figure of ‘Arrotino’ or ‘The Knife Sharpener’

The figure is in two pieces, the figure is supported on a separate solid plinth base.

The marble statue of this subject is in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, it is a Roman copy of a Hellenistic statue although due to the wonderful craftsmanship it was long believed to be an original Greek sculpture.

fig 2. A dark green carved marble sculpture of the classical crouching figure Arrotino mounted on a rectangular plinth.
fig 2. Finely Carved Italian Grand Tour Verdo Prato Figure of ‘Arrotino’ or ‘The Knife Sharpener’

The verde Prato serpentine stone has been quarried for centuries near to Prato, northwest of Florence in Italy, the stone was so named due to the resemblance to the skin of a serpent.

This figure is a very decorative piece, it is in good condition for age, is of stable construction and can go straight into a home or collection - old fractures and repairs in his right arm and missing thumb on left hand can be seen in our photographs - it is not uncommon for serpentine items to have some damage or losses due to the fragility of the stone.

Size:

Height 16'' / 40.5cm

Width 11'' / 28cm

Depth 6.75'' / 16cm

Height
40.5cm (15.94")
Width
28cm (11.02")
Depth
16cm (6.30")
Date of Manufacture

LVS Decorative Arts has dated this Grand Tour Marble Sculpture to the 1870s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1231351
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 dark green carved marble sculpture of the classical crouching figure Arrotino mounted on a rectangular plinth.
1 / 12
Archive I A dark green carved marble sculpture of the classical crouching figure Arrotino mounted on a rectangular plinth.

Finely Carved Italian Grand Tour Verdo Prato Figure of ‘Arrotino’ or ‘The Knife Sharpener’

Archive II A dark green carved marble sculpture of the classical crouching figure Arrotino mounted on a rectangular plinth. View II
Archive III A dark green carved marble sculpture of the classical crouching figure Arrotino mounted on a rectangular plinth. View III
Archive IV A dark green carved marble sculpture of the classical crouching figure Arrotino mounted on a rectangular plinth. View IV
Archive V A dark green carved marble sculpture of the classical crouching figure Arrotino mounted on a rectangular plinth. View V
Archive VI A dark green carved marble sculpture of the classical crouching figure Arrotino mounted on a rectangular plinth. View VI
Archive VII A dark green carved marble sculpture of the classical crouching figure Arrotino mounted on a rectangular plinth. View VII
Archive VIII A dark green carved marble sculpture of the classical crouching figure Arrotino mounted on a rectangular plinth. View VIII
Archive IX A dark green carved marble sculpture of the classical crouching figure Arrotino mounted on a rectangular plinth. View IX
Archive X A dark green carved marble sculpture of the classical crouching figure Arrotino mounted on a rectangular plinth. View X
Archive XI A dark green carved marble sculpture of the classical crouching figure Arrotino mounted on a rectangular plinth. View XI
Archive XII A dark green carved marble sculpture of the classical crouching figure Arrotino mounted on a rectangular plinth. View XII
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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 233
Items Sold 1,084
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
233
Sold
1,084
A dark green carved marble sculpture of the classical crouching figure Arrotino mounted on a rectangular plinth.
Finely carved Italian Grand Tour verdo prato figure of ‘Arrotino’ or ‘The Knife Sharpener’
Ref: SA1231351
A dark green carved marble sculpture of the classical crouching figure Arrotino mounted on a rectangular plinth.
Detail View 1
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FAQs

Grand Tour sculptures are scaled reproductions of famous classical Antiquity statues created primarily in Italy during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries as keepsakes for European travellers.

These sculptures were commonly carved from native Italian stones and marbles, such as Verde Prato, serpentinite, and Carrara marble, or cast in bronze using traditional workshop methods.

Authentic pieces feature detailed hand carving, appropriate age wear to the base contact points, period-correct mineral compositions, and anatomically accurate sculpting derived from classical originals.

Positioning a classical stone sculpture on a fireplace mantel, open bookshelf, or dark wooden sideboard creates a focal point that contrasts modern minimalist lines with historical textures.

Dust the surface regularly with a soft lint-free cloth and avoid acidic cleaners or harsh chemicals, applying neutral stone polish occasionally to preserve the lustre.
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