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ID #SA1239243
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£3,800
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C. 1840, Giallo Antico, Grand Tour Model of the Phocas Column (Italian)
For sale by White Space Antiques
for sale €4,446     $4,826
£3,800
White Space Antiques

White Space Antiques

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C. 1840, Giallo Antico, Grand Tour Model of the Phocas Column (Italian)

19th century
Description

C. 1840, Giallo Antico, Grand Tour Model of The Phocas Column (Italian).

Crafted from Giallo Antico (yellow marble), surmounted by a bronze Emperor, inscribed with Latin to the pedestal, and set on a stepped Levanto marble base.

This striking depiction is inspired by the Colonna di Foca, the giallo antico Corinthian column of Phocas, a monumental Roman column that marked the final addition to the Roman Forum in Rome, Italy.

On 1 August AD 608, the column was dedicated in honour of the Eastern Roman Emperor Phocas, who had seized the throne in AD 602 after murdering his predecessor, Emperor Maurice.

The inscription on the pedestal, also depicted in this marble model, reads:

‘To the best, most clement and pious ruler, our lord Phocas, the perpetual emperor, crowned by God, the forever august triumphator, did Smaragdus, former praepositus sacri palatii and patricius and Exarch of Italy, devoted to His Clemency for the innumerable benefactions of His Piousness and for the peace acquired for Italy and its freedom preserved, this statue of His Majesty, blinking from the splendour of gold, here on this tallest column for his eternal glory erect and dedicate, on the first day of the month of August, in the eleventh indiction in the fifth year after the consulate of His Piousness.’

Yet the monument's dedication proved a fleeting tribute to imperial power. Just two years later, in AD 610, Phocas was overthrown and executed by Heraclius, who claimed the throne and ushered in a new chapter in the history of the Eastern Roman Empire.

CONDITION:

Overall, excellent. No cracks or breaks.

DIMENSIONS:

43cm H

Physical Dimensions
Height
43cm (16.93")
Declaration

White Space Antiques has dated this Grand Tour Column Model to the 1850s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1239243
Description
C. 1840, Giallo Antico, Grand Tour Model of The Phocas Column (Italian).
“
Crafted from Giallo Antico (yellow marble), surmounted by a bronze Emperor, inscribed with Latin to the pedestal, and set on a stepped Levanto marble base.
White Space Antiques
fig 1. A detailed miniature architectural model of the Column of Phocas carved from yellow Giallo Antico marble with a small bronze figure atop, set upon a stepped square base.
fig 1. C. 1840, Giallo Antico, Grand Tour Model of the Phocas Column (Italian)

This striking depiction is inspired by the Colonna di Foca, the giallo antico Corinthian column of Phocas, a monumental Roman column that marked the final addition to the Roman Forum in Rome, Italy.

On 1 August AD 608, the column was dedicated in honour of the Eastern Roman Emperor Phocas, who had seized the throne in AD 602 after murdering his predecessor, Emperor Maurice.

fig 2. A detailed miniature architectural model of the Column of Phocas carved from yellow Giallo Antico marble with a small bronze figure atop, set upon a stepped square base.
fig 2. C. 1840, Giallo Antico, Grand Tour Model of the Phocas Column (Italian)

The inscription on the pedestal, also depicted in this marble model, reads:

‘To the best, most clement and pious ruler, our lord Phocas, the perpetual emperor, crowned by God, the forever august triumphator, did Smaragdus, former praepositus sacri palatii and patricius and Exarch of Italy, devoted to His Clemency for the innumerable benefactions of His Piousness and for the peace acquired for Italy and its freedom preserved, this statue of His Majesty, blinking from the splendour of gold, here on this tallest column for his eternal glory erect and dedicate, on the first day of the month of August, in the eleventh indiction in the fifth year after the consulate of His Piousness.’

fig 3. A detailed miniature architectural model of the Column of Phocas carved from yellow Giallo Antico marble with a small bronze figure atop, set upon a stepped square base.
fig 3. C. 1840, Giallo Antico, Grand Tour Model of the Phocas Column (Italian)

Yet the monument's dedication proved a fleeting tribute to imperial power. Just two years later, in AD 610, Phocas was overthrown and executed by Heraclius, who claimed the throne and ushered in a new chapter in the history of the Eastern Roman Empire.

CONDITION:

Overall, excellent. No cracks or breaks.

DIMENSIONS:

43cm H

Height
43cm (16.93")
Date of Manufacture

White Space Antiques has dated this Grand Tour Column Model to the 1850s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1239243
White Space Antiques
White Space Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Feb 2026

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A detailed miniature architectural model of the Column of Phocas carved from yellow Giallo Antico marble with a small bronze figure atop, set upon a stepped square base.
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Archive I A detailed miniature architectural model of the Column of Phocas carved from yellow Giallo Antico marble with a small bronze figure atop, set upon a stepped square base.

C. 1840, Giallo Antico, Grand Tour Model of the Phocas Column (Italian)

Archive II A detailed miniature architectural model of the Column of Phocas carved from yellow Giallo Antico marble with a small bronze figure atop, set upon a stepped square base. View II
Archive III A detailed miniature architectural model of the Column of Phocas carved from yellow Giallo Antico marble with a small bronze figure atop, set upon a stepped square base. View III
Archive IV A detailed miniature architectural model of the Column of Phocas carved from yellow Giallo Antico marble with a small bronze figure atop, set upon a stepped square base. View IV
Enlarged Archival View
White Space Antiques

White Space Antiques
Telephone 07760 835542
Location
Westbury
Wiltshire
United Kingdom

By appointment only.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/whitespace
Verified Since Feb 2026
Items For Sale 73
Items Sold 3
White Space Antiques
White Space Antiques
Verified Since Feb 2026
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Location: Westbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom, , By appointment only.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/whitespace
Verified
Feb 2026
For Sale
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A detailed miniature architectural model of the Column of Phocas carved from yellow Giallo Antico marble with a small bronze figure atop, set upon a stepped square base.
C. 1840, Giallo Antico, Grand Tour Model of The Phocas Column (Italian)
Ref: SA1239243
A detailed miniature architectural model of the Column of Phocas carved from yellow Giallo Antico marble with a small bronze figure atop, set upon a stepped square base.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectArchitectural Models
  • Period19th century
  • StyleGrand Tour
  • MaterialGiallo Antico Marble, Black Marble, Bronze
  • ColourYellow, Black
  • MotifsCorinthian capital, Fluted column shaft, Stepped square pedestal, Inscribed Latin text
  • SizeH 43 cm (17 in)

This architectural model is a Grand Tour piece from the mid-nineteenth century, depicting the historic Column of Phocas in Rome. The construction combines yellow Giallo Antico marble and black marble with a small bronze figure of the emperor surmounting the Corinthian capital. The tall shaft is fluted, resting upon a square pedestal inscribed with Latin text, which in turn sits on a stepped square base placed on a dark plinth. The yellow marble displays natural figuring and tonal variation throughout the stepped tiers and column elements, while the bronze figure stands upright with a spear. Standing 43 cm high, the object has a compact footprint suited for display on bookshelves or desks. Positioned in a gentleman's library or study, the model brings classical architectural interest to interior spaces. The dark bronze finial contrasts with the bright yellow marble body, while the tiered base provides stability and visual weight. The Latin inscription on the pedestal remains legible, recording the historical dedication to the Eastern Roman Emperor Phocas. The polished stone surfaces reflect ambient light, highlighting the classical proportions and fine turning of the miniature monument.

FAQs

During the 18th and 19th centuries, European travellers undertook the Grand Tour across Europe, frequently purchasing finely crafted miniature architectural models of classical Roman and Greek ruins as educational mementos.

Craftsmen typically utilised coloured Italian marbles, such as Giallo Antico and Rosso Antico, alongside white Carrara marble, alabaster, porphyry, and bronze figures mounted on dark marble bases.

Authentic 19th-century models feature precise hand-carved classical proportions, hand-incised Latin inscriptions, natural age-related surface wear, and genuine historical marble types sourced from classical Mediterranean quarries.

Display the model on a library shelf, mantelpiece, or desk to add classical structure, warm yellow tones, and architectural proportion within contemporary or traditional design schemes.

Dust surfaces gently with a soft microfibre cloth or natural bristle brush, avoid acidic chemical cleaners that etch stone, and handle with care to protect brittle corners and carved elements.
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