Late 19th Century Grand Tour Style Bronze Figure of 'Venus De' Medici' or the Medici Venus

1900 - 1920

Sold by LVS Decorative Arts

Description

A late 19th century Grand Tour style bronze figure of 'Venus de' Medici' or the Medici Venus, After the Antique, cast by the Sommer Foundry, Naples, Italy.

This bronze depicts Venus, her hands covering her body for modesty with a dolphin at her feet, the dolphin with two cherubs aloft supported on a circular base signed 'Fonderie Giorgio Sommer Calabritto 2-3 Napoli', this is a fine casting and has good dark patination. The Sommer foundry in Naples produced various Classical bronzes in a range of sizes.

The original marble figure Venus de' Medici was a life size sculpture of the Greek Goddess of love, Aprodite, having just emerged from the sea, the dolphin at her feet being a symbol of this, the original sculpture was originally recorded in 1638 at the Medici Villa, Rome and is now in the Uffizi in Florence, Italy.

The Italian sculptor and bronze castor Massimiliano Soldani-Benzi (1656-1740), cast a bronze copy of the original marble 'Venus de Medici' for Prince Johann Adam Andreas I von Lichtenstein and worked on the figure between 1699-1702 - this figure remains in the Lichtenstein Collection in Vienna, Austria.

A large bronze example of the 'Venus de' Medici' can be seen in the garden of the National Trust property 'Anglesey Abbey' in Cambridgeshire, UK.

This bronze is in excellent condition and can go straight into a home.

Size:

Height: 25.5'' / 65cm

Width: 9.75'' / 25cm

Depth: 9.75'' / 25cm

Physical Dimensions

Height

65cm (25.59")

Width

25cm (9.84")

Depth

25cm (9.84")

Declaration

LVS Decorative Arts has dated this piece to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA491625

Dealers Internal Reference

LVS785

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 late 19th century Grand Tour style bronze figure of 'Venus de' Medici' or the Medici Venus, After the Antique, cast by the Sommer Foundry, Naples, Italy.

This bronze depicts Venus, her hands covering her body for modesty with a dolphin at her feet, the dolphin with two cherubs aloft supported on a circular base signed 'Fonderie Giorgio Sommer Calabritto 2-3 Napoli', this is a fine casting and has good dark patination. The Sommer foundry in Naples produced various Classical bronzes in a range of sizes.

fig 1. Late 19th century Grand Tour style bronze figure of 'Venus de' Medici' or the Medici Venus — fig 1. Late 19th Century Grand Tour Style Bronze Figure of 'Venus De' Medici' or the Medici Venus

The original marble figure Venus de' Medici was a life size sculpture of the Greek Goddess of love, Aprodite, having just emerged from the sea, the dolphin at her feet being a symbol of this, the original sculpture was originally recorded in 1638 at the Medici Villa, Rome and is now in the Uffizi in Florence, Italy.

fig 2. Late 19th century Grand Tour style bronze figure of 'Venus de' Medici' or the Medici Venus — fig 2. Late 19th Century Grand Tour Style Bronze Figure of 'Venus De' Medici' or the Medici Venus

The Italian sculptor and bronze castor Massimiliano Soldani-Benzi (1656-1740), cast a bronze copy of the original marble 'Venus de Medici' for Prince Johann Adam Andreas I von Lichtenstein and worked on the figure between 1699-1702 - this figure remains in the Lichtenstein Collection in Vienna, Austria.