39,990  PAGES BROWSED TODAY PAGES TODAY 221 ANTIQUES UPLOADED TODAYNEW ARRIVALS
221 ITEMS ADDED TODAY
Sort Order
Items Per Page
Browse Categories
Sort order
Relevant Links
Items per page
ID #SA457642
FOR SALE
£550
Email
Save
C19th Italian 'Grand Tour' Souvenir Specimen Marble Obelisk.
M Lees and Sons
for sale €644     $699
£550
M Lees and Sons

M Lees and Sons

Sellingantiques Verified Since Feb 2013
Browse dealers 351 items
  • About Us
    M.lees & sons , 'tower house' , severn st., worcester wr12nb tel . 07860826218
  • Trade Associations
    M Lees and Sons is a registered member of LAPADA  CINOA
Id #SA457642
PDF SHARE
SAVE

C19th Italian 'Grand Tour' Souvenir Specimen Marble Obelisk.

19th century
For Sale by M Lees and Sons
Description

C19th Italian 'Grand Tour' souvenir specimen marble obelisk .

Smart desk-top marble obelisk composed of six different varieties of stone . The tapering white marble shaft sits directly onto a slip of figured yellow 'Convent Siena ' marble. Beneath this is a moulded section of 'Nero Marquina' marble onto a tapering block section of 'Nero Belgo' stone . The next lower section is a piece of moulded and stepped pale yellow 'Siena' marble, which in turn rests upon a moulded base plinth of 'Portoro' marble.

Stylish desk-top size obelisk constructed from a well-chosen selection of marble samples.

Has a minor repaired chip to one corner of 'Portoro' marble base. Very minor nicks to the edges of shaft.

H 11.5"

W 4"

D 4"

Italy c.1870

Physical Dimensions
Height
29cm (11.42")
Width
10cm (3.94")
Depth
10cm (3.94")
Declaration

M Lees and Sons has dated this Specimen Marble Obelisk to the 1870s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA457642
Dealers Internal Reference
Ml 213
Dealers Notes

Established in the Cathedral City of Worcester for over 40 years ,M.Lees&Sons , run by Michael Lees ,have been dealing with public and trade from show-rooms in an early Georgian town-house. We aim to provide a straight-forward approach to our business and build lasting relationships with our customers. As members of the 'London and Provincial Antique Dealers Association' , we provide full descriptive details , date ,authenticity and any available provenance ,with full disclosure of any restoration or repair which may have taken place .

Whether buying for pleasure , decoration or investment, we welcome you to our web-site or premises .

Past projects have included advising clients on forming and disposing of collections , furnishing period properties , hotel and commercial projects , also a shoot-room and lodge .

All goods are available to view and owned by M.Lees & Sons .

If visiting, a telephone call prior is advisable as due to the demands of the business the show-room does not have regular hours . Please feel free to contact us if we can be of assistance . Our inventory on the website Selling Antiques .co.uk showcases our range of stock, whilst more items are available to view on our website. Please visit us on:

www.leesantiquesworcester.com.

Tel. 01905 26620 / 07860826218

Located in the centre of Worcester in the shadow of the Cathedral with easy parking nearby. Exit Junction 7 M5 and follow the signs for Worcester Porcelain Museum . Our premises are located 100 metres from the Museum and 50 metres from Pay&Display car-park in nearby King St.

Description
C19th Italian 'Grand Tour' souvenir specimen marble obelisk .

Smart desk-top marble obelisk composed of six different varieties of stone . The tapering white marble shaft sits directly onto a slip of figured yellow 'Convent Siena ' marble.

Beneath this is a moulded section of 'Nero Marquina' marble onto a tapering block section of 'Nero Belgo' stone.
M Lees and Sons

. The next lower section is a piece of moulded and stepped pale yellow 'Siena' marble, which in turn rests upon a moulded base plinth of 'Portoro' marble.

fig 1. A 19th-century Italian specimen marble obelisk featuring a white marble tapered shaft set atop a multi-layered, coloured marble plinth and black stone base.
fig 1. C19th Italian 'Grand Tour' Souvenir Specimen Marble Obelisk.

Stylish desk-top size obelisk constructed from a well-chosen selection of marble samples.

Has a minor repaired chip to one corner of 'Portoro' marble base. Very minor nicks to the edges of shaft.

H 11.5"

W 4"

D 4"

Italy c.1870

Height
29cm (11.42")
Width
10cm (3.94")
Depth
10cm (3.94")
Date of Manufacture

M Lees and Sons has dated this Specimen Marble Obelisk to the 1870s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA457642
Dealers Internal Ref
Ml 213
M Lees and Sons
M Lees and Sons
Sellingantiques verified Since Feb 2013

M.lees & sons , 'tower house' , severn st., worcester wr12nb tel . 07860826218

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the M Lees and Sons Profile Page

Trade Associations

M Lees and Sons is a registered member of LAPADA  CINOA

PDF SHARE
SAVE
A 19th-century Italian specimen marble obelisk featuring a white marble tapered shaft set atop a multi-layered, coloured marble plinth and black stone base.
1 / 15
Archive I A 19th-century Italian specimen marble obelisk featuring a white marble tapered shaft set atop a multi-layered, coloured marble plinth and black stone base.

C19th Italian 'Grand Tour' Souvenir Specimen Marble Obelisk.

Archive II A 19th-century Italian specimen marble obelisk featuring a white marble tapered shaft set atop a multi-layered, coloured marble plinth and black stone base. View II
Archive III A 19th-century Italian specimen marble obelisk featuring a white marble tapered shaft set atop a multi-layered, coloured marble plinth and black stone base. View III
Archive IV Scale Reference for A 19th-century Italian specimen marble obelisk featuring a white marble tapered shaft set atop a multi-layered, coloured marble plinth and black stone base.
Archive V A 19th-century Italian specimen marble obelisk featuring a white marble tapered shaft set atop a multi-layered, coloured marble plinth and black stone base. View V
Archive VI A 19th-century Italian specimen marble obelisk featuring a white marble tapered shaft set atop a multi-layered, coloured marble plinth and black stone base. View VI
Archive VII A 19th-century Italian specimen marble obelisk featuring a white marble tapered shaft set atop a multi-layered, coloured marble plinth and black stone base. View VII
Archive VIII A 19th-century Italian specimen marble obelisk featuring a white marble tapered shaft set atop a multi-layered, coloured marble plinth and black stone base. View VIII
Archive IX A 19th-century Italian specimen marble obelisk featuring a white marble tapered shaft set atop a multi-layered, coloured marble plinth and black stone base. View IX
Archive X A 19th-century Italian specimen marble obelisk featuring a white marble tapered shaft set atop a multi-layered, coloured marble plinth and black stone base. View X
Archive XI A 19th-century Italian specimen marble obelisk featuring a white marble tapered shaft set atop a multi-layered, coloured marble plinth and black stone base. View XI
Archive XII A 19th-century Italian specimen marble obelisk featuring a white marble tapered shaft set atop a multi-layered, coloured marble plinth and black stone base. View XII
Archive XIII A 19th-century Italian specimen marble obelisk featuring a white marble tapered shaft set atop a multi-layered, coloured marble plinth and black stone base. View XIII
Archive XIV A 19th-century Italian specimen marble obelisk featuring a white marble tapered shaft set atop a multi-layered, coloured marble plinth and black stone base. View XIV
Archive XV A 19th-century Italian specimen marble obelisk featuring a white marble tapered shaft set atop a multi-layered, coloured marble plinth and black stone base. View XV
Enlarged Archival View
Location
Tower House
1 Castle Place
Severn St
Worcester
WR1 2NB
United Kingdom
Verified Since Feb 2013
Items For Sale 351
Items Sold 1,590
M Lees and Sons
M Lees and Sons
Verified Since Feb 2013
View Dealer Info
Location: Tower House, 1 Castle Place, Severn St, Worcester, WR1 2NB, United Kingdom
Verified
Feb 2013
For Sale
351
Sold
1,590
A 19th-century Italian specimen marble obelisk featuring a white marble tapered shaft set atop a multi-layered, coloured marble plinth and black stone base.
C19th Italian 'Grand Tour' souvenir specimen marble obelisk.
Ref: SA457642
A 19th-century Italian specimen marble obelisk featuring a white marble tapered shaft set atop a multi-layered, coloured marble plinth and black stone base.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Detail View 7
Detail View 8
Detail View 9
Detail View 10
Detail View 11
Detail View 12
Detail View 13
Scale Reference
Archival Detail
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.
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.
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.

Grand Tour specimen marble obelisks were souvenir objects created in Italy during the 18th and 19th centuries for European travellers. Inspired by ancient Egyptian obelisks re-erected in Rome, these scaled stone models incorporated diverse geological samples, known as specimen marbles, showcasing regional mineralogy and classical craftsmanship.

These decorative obelisks were constructed from carved white Carrara marble, black Nero Belgio stone, and variegated marbles such as Giallo Antico, porphyry, and alabaster. The components were cut and assembled over a concealed central structural pin or adhesive substrate to create tiered plinths and tapered shafts.

Authentic 19th-century pieces feature hand-cut sharp edges, natural surface variations, and historical regional stones distinct from modern synthetic substitutes. Examination of the base reveals natural age-related wear, hand-chiselled tooling marks, and traditional assembly techniques using plaster or internal metal rods.

A specimen marble obelisk functions as a focal point on a mantelpiece, bookshelf, or executive desk, providing architectural height and classical symmetry. Placing a single obelisk alongside leather-bound books or modern artwork creates a curated aesthetic.

Marble should be dusted regularly with a soft microfibre cloth and kept clear of acidic liquids. If cleaning is necessary, use a pH-neutral stone cleaner diluted in distilled water, avoiding harsh chemical sprays, abrasive pads, or prolonged moisture exposure.
items
Add keywords to the filter
Price
£100
£250000
Era
Movements
Material
Origin
Stock Location
Freshness
Online Payments
Categories