Search 0
8,362  PAGES BROWSED TODAY PAGES TODAY • 0 ANTIQUES UPLOADED TODAYNEW ARRIVALS
Sorted by
Per page
JOIN AS A SELLER DEALER LOGIN
Selling Antiques Logo
0
Saved
GIFTSNEW
LATEST STOCK
Home
Return
Dealer Login
500+ Shops
Dealers
Newly Added
0
Saved
Antiques dealer?
Join as a Seller
Sort Order
Items Per Page
sellingantiques.co.uk
Browse Categories
Sort order
Relevant Links
Items per page
ID #SA1238030
FOR SALE
£450
Email Phone Buy
Save
19th Century Grand Tour Bronze of Michelangelo's Lorenzo De'medici C.1840
For sale by Webberley Antiques
for sale €527     $572
£450
Webberley Antiques

Webberley Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Nov 2008
Browse dealers 81 items
  • About Us
    Specialists in 18th century and earlier furniture for more than 45 years
Relevant Links
Id #SA1238030
PDF SHARE
SAVE

19th Century Grand Tour Bronze of Michelangelo's Lorenzo De'medici C.1840

19th century
Description

A very good and finely cast bronze figure of Lorenzo de' Medici.

This is a 19th-century copy of Michelangelo's famous Renaissance marble sculpture in the New Sacristy of the Basillica of San Lorenzo in Florence which was sculpted in c. 1530.

The warm brown patina in excellent condition and the bronze is very heavy for its size.

These bronzes were bought by wealthy people who embarked on the ‘Grand Tour’ of Europe and this high quality bronze was probably cast by a foundry such as Barbedienne using the Reduction Mechanique to produce very finely detailed exact and smaller replicas of original marble sculptures. As here, often these were taken from life size figures.

The figure is of the Duke of Urbino - Lorenzo II de' Medici and is known as “Il Pensieroso” (The Thoughtful One).

The Duke is dressed in flowing robes and military armor and appears deep in thought, his chin resting on one hand.

A work of art and a beautiful 19th century bronze which would make a lovely gift.

Dimensions are:

6.5 inches high, 2.3 inches deep, 2.7 inches wide.

Declaration

Webberley Antiques has dated this Grand Tour Bronze Sculpture to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1238030
Dealers Notes

I describe and photograph my pieces accurately and with the aim that on arrival each will exceed your expectations.

I operate a full refund guarantee and am always happy to give free, honest and friendly advice.

Description
A very good and finely cast bronze figure of Lorenzo de' Medici.
“
This is a 19th-century copy of Michelangelo's famous Renaissance marble sculpture in the New Sacristy of the Basillica of San Lorenzo in Florence which was sculpted in c.
Webberley Antiques

1530.

fig 1. A dark patinated bronze figure depicting Lorenzo de Medici seated in a thoughtful pose on a rectangular base.
fig 1. 19th Century Grand Tour Bronze of Michelangelo's Lorenzo De'medici C.1840

The warm brown patina in excellent condition and the bronze is very heavy for its size.

These bronzes were bought by wealthy people who embarked on the ‘Grand Tour’ of Europe and this high quality bronze was probably cast by a foundry such as Barbedienne using the Reduction Mechanique to produce very finely detailed exact and smaller replicas of original marble sculptures. As here, often these were taken from life size figures.

fig 2. A dark patinated bronze figure depicting Lorenzo de Medici seated in a thoughtful pose on a rectangular base.
fig 2. 19th Century Grand Tour Bronze of Michelangelo's Lorenzo De'medici C.1840

The figure is of the Duke of Urbino - Lorenzo II de' Medici and is known as “Il Pensieroso” (The Thoughtful One).

The Duke is dressed in flowing robes and military armor and appears deep in thought, his chin resting on one hand.

A work of art and a beautiful 19th century bronze which would make a lovely gift.

Dimensions are:

6.5 inches high, 2.3 inches deep, 2.7 inches wide.

Date of Manufacture

Webberley Antiques has dated this Grand Tour Bronze Sculpture to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1238030
Webberley Antiques
Webberley Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Nov 2008

Specialists in 18th century and earlier furniture for more than 45 years

Dealer Profile

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

PDF SHARE
SAVE
A dark patinated bronze figure depicting Lorenzo de Medici seated in a thoughtful pose on a rectangular base.
1 / 8
Archive I A dark patinated bronze figure depicting Lorenzo de Medici seated in a thoughtful pose on a rectangular base.

19th Century Grand Tour Bronze of Michelangelo's Lorenzo De'medici C.1840

Archive II A dark patinated bronze figure depicting Lorenzo de Medici seated in a thoughtful pose on a rectangular base. View II
Archive III A dark patinated bronze figure depicting Lorenzo de Medici seated in a thoughtful pose on a rectangular base. View III
Archive IV A dark patinated bronze figure depicting Lorenzo de Medici seated in a thoughtful pose on a rectangular base. View IV
Archive V A dark patinated bronze figure depicting Lorenzo de Medici seated in a thoughtful pose on a rectangular base. View V
Archive VI A dark patinated bronze figure depicting Lorenzo de Medici seated in a thoughtful pose on a rectangular base. View VI
Archive VII A dark patinated bronze figure depicting Lorenzo de Medici seated in a thoughtful pose on a rectangular base. View VII
Archive VIII A dark patinated bronze figure depicting Lorenzo de Medici seated in a thoughtful pose on a rectangular base. View VIII
Enlarged Archival View
Webberley Antiques

Webberley Antiques
Telephone 07765 233266 or 01424 838557
Location
East Sussex
United Kingdom

By appointment only.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/webberley
Verified Since Nov 2008
Items For Sale 81
Items Sold 428
Webberley Antiques
Webberley Antiques
Verified Since Nov 2008
View Dealer Info
Location: East Sussex, United Kingdom, , By appointment only.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/webberley
Verified
Nov 2008
For Sale
81
Sold
428
A dark patinated bronze figure depicting Lorenzo de Medici seated in a thoughtful pose on a rectangular base.
19th Century Grand Tour Bronze of Michelangelo's Lorenzo de'Medici c.1840
Ref: SA1238030
A dark patinated bronze figure depicting Lorenzo de Medici seated in a thoughtful pose on a rectangular base.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Detail View 7
Archival Detail

Strictly Vetted Dealers

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.

Secure Transit

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.

The Sustainable Choice

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.

Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectSculptures & Figurines
  • Period19th century
  • StyleGrand Tour
  • MaterialPatinated Bronze
  • ColourDark Brown
  • MotifsSeated pose, Hand to chin, Classical armour, Rectangular base

This nineteenth-century Grand Tour bronze figure depicts Lorenzo de' Medici seated in a thoughtful pose on a rectangular base. The subject wears classical armour and robes over his frame, holding one hand to his chin while gazing downwards. Cast in patinated bronze with a dark brown finish, the sculpture reveals detailed rendering of the musculature, textured hair beneath a helmet, and folds in the garments. Measuring 16.5 cm high, 5.8 cm deep, and 6.9 cm wide, the heavy cast is suited for display in a gentleman's library or study. It fits naturally on a bookshelf, mantelpiece, or desk among classic literature and historical artifacts, bringing an academic touch to interior settings.

FAQs

Grand Tour bronzes are small-scale metal reductions of famous classical, Renaissance, and Baroque statues. Produced predominantly in Italy and France during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, they were purchased by aristocrats and scholars as souvenirs while touring European cultural sites.

These figures were typically crafted using the lost-wax (cire perdue) or sand-casting method. After casting, skilled craftsmen hand-chased the details into the metal and applied a chemical patina through controlled heating to achieve a dark brown or dark green finish.

Authentic pieces generally display precise hand-chiselled definition in the hair, facial features, and drapery, along with a natural patina showing gentle wear on raised surfaces. They often feature cast-integral bases, heavy solid or thick-walled weight, and absence of modern mechanical casting seams.

A bronze sculpture acts as a focal point when positioned on a dark wood bookshelf, mantelpiece, or executive desk. It contrasts effectively against modern minimalist backdrop walls or placed alongside leather-bound books and contemporary line art.

Regular maintenance requires dusting with a soft, dry natural-bristle brush. To preserve the original chemical patina, avoid liquid polishes, water, or chemical solvents, and apply a thin coat of microcrystalline wax annually to protect the surface from atmospheric oxidation.
items
Add keywords to the filter
Price
£100
£250000
Era
Period
Style
Material
Origin
Stock Location
Recently Added
Online Payments
Categories