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ID #SA1233377
FOR SALE
£1,850
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Grand Tour Gilt Bronze Busts of Antinous and Dionysus
Cella
for sale €2,165     $2,350
£1,850

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.
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Id #SA1233377
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Grand Tour Gilt Bronze Busts of Antinous and Dionysus

19th century
For Sale by Cella
Description

Fantastic unusual pair of late 19th century, probably French, Grand Tour gilt bronze ormolu busts of Antinous as Bacchus and Ariadne/Dionysus after the popular original pairing by Leone Clerici in Rome in 1882. Antinous is modeled on the original marble bust, known as the Lansdowne Antinous, unearthed at Hatrian's Villa, Tivoli in 1769 during excavations undertaken by the art dealer and archaeologist Gavin Hamilton who secured it for Lord Lansdowne, an avid collector of antiquities. It now resides in the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, England. The original bust of Ariadne, now believed to be to be the god Dionysus, can be seen in the Capitoline Musuem in Rome. Presented on their beautiful original but extensively repaired tall fluted classical Rouge Griotte marble columns. Striking pair seldom seen. France, circa 1885.

Physical Dimensions
Height
35cm (13.78")
Width
11cm (4.33")
Depth
11cm (4.33")
Declaration

Cella has dated these Gilt Bronze Classical Busts to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1233377
Dealers Internal Reference
CA1138
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
Fantastic unusual pair of late 19th century, probably French, Grand Tour gilt bronze ormolu busts of Antinous as Bacchus and Ariadne/Dionysus after the popular original pairing by Leone Clerici in Rome in 1882. Antinous is modeled on the original marble bust, known as the Lansdowne Antinous, unearthed at Hatrian's Villa, Tivoli in 1769 during excavations undertaken by the art dealer and archaeologist Gavin Hamilton who secured it for Lord Lansdowne, an avid collector of antiquities. It now resides in the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, England.
“
The original bust of Ariadne, now believed to be to be the god Dionysus, can be seen in the Capitoline Musuem in Rome.
Cella

Presented on their beautiful original but extensively repaired tall fluted classical Rouge Griotte marble columns. Striking pair seldom seen. France, circa 1885.

Height
35cm (13.78")
Width
11cm (4.33")
Depth
11cm (4.33")
Date of Manufacture

Cella has dated these Gilt Bronze Classical Busts to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1233377
Dealers Internal Ref
CA1138
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 gilt bronze classical busts depicting Antinous and Dionysus mounted on fluted red marble column plinths.
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Archive I A pair of gilt bronze classical busts depicting Antinous and Dionysus mounted on fluted red marble column plinths.

Grand Tour Gilt Bronze Busts of Antinous and Dionysus

Archive II A pair of gilt bronze classical busts depicting Antinous and Dionysus mounted on fluted red marble column plinths. View II
Archive III A pair of gilt bronze classical busts depicting Antinous and Dionysus mounted on fluted red marble column plinths. View III
Archive IV A pair of gilt bronze classical busts depicting Antinous and Dionysus mounted on fluted red marble column plinths. View IV
Archive V A pair of gilt bronze classical busts depicting Antinous and Dionysus mounted on fluted red marble column plinths. View V
Archive VI A pair of gilt bronze classical busts depicting Antinous and Dionysus mounted on fluted red marble column plinths. View VI
Archive VII A pair of gilt bronze classical busts depicting Antinous and Dionysus mounted on fluted red marble column plinths. View VII
Archive VIII A pair of gilt bronze classical busts depicting Antinous and Dionysus mounted on fluted red marble column plinths. View VIII
Archive IX A pair of gilt bronze classical busts depicting Antinous and Dionysus mounted on fluted red marble column plinths. View IX
Archive X A pair of gilt bronze classical busts depicting Antinous and Dionysus mounted on fluted red marble column plinths. View X
Enlarged Archival View

Cella
Telephone 020 8299 4945
Location
London
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/cellantiques
Verified Since May 2019
Items For Sale 75
Items Sold 301
Cella
Verified Since May 2019
View Dealer Info
Location: London, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/cellantiques
Verified
May 2019
For Sale
75
Sold
301
A pair of gilt bronze classical busts depicting Antinous and Dionysus mounted on fluted red marble column plinths.
Grand Tour gilt bronze busts of Antinous and Dionysus
Ref: SA1233377
A pair of gilt bronze classical busts depicting Antinous and Dionysus mounted on fluted red marble column plinths.
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FAQs

During the 18th and 19th centuries, wealthy European aristocrats embarked on the Grand Tour across Italy and Greece to complete their education in classical antiquity. Artisans produced small-scale bronze copies of celebrated Roman and Greek statues, such as busts of deities and historical figures, to sell as sophisticated souvenirs to these travellers.

Neoclassical busts were frequently cast in bronze using the lost-wax process and then hand-chased. Finishes often included fire-gilding (ormolu) or dark patinations, with the finished sculptures typically mounted onto high-grade decorative marble bases such as Rouge Griotte, porphyry, or Carrara marble.

Authentic period pieces display high-quality hand chasing on details like hair and facial features, along with historic thread construction securing the bust to the plinth. Gilded surfaces should exhibit natural age-related wear, oxidation, or softening rather than bright, uniform modern electroplating.

These decorative objects serve as classic accent pieces atop mantelpieces, dark wood sideboards, or structured bookshelves. Pairing classical bronzes with contemporary art or minimalist decor creates an engaging juxtaposition between historical craftsmanship and modern design.

Dust gilt bronze regularly using a soft, dry microfibre cloth or horsehair brush, avoiding wet cleaning or chemical polishes which can strip historic gilding. Wipe marble bases with a slightly damp cloth and dry immediately, keeping acidic substances away from the stone to prevent etching.
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