Large Late C19th Italian Neapolitan ‘Grand Tour’ Souvenir Bronze Sculpture of Dionysus, Known as Narcissus, After the Antique.

Large late C19th Italian Neapolitan ‘Grand Tour’ souvenir bronze sculpture of Dionysus, known as Narcissus, after the antique.

Evocative and iconic bronze statue , after the antique original , of the Greek God Dionysus, Bacchus to the Romans , god of wine , the grape harvest , ritual madness , religious ecstasy and theatre .

The youthful and beautiful god is depicted in a contrapposto pose , a wine-skin slung over his shoulder and entirely naked except for his strapped sandals and the grape-vine in his hair .

Well-cast detail throughout with fine intricate detail to the hair, facial expression and sandals. The circular stepped base cast with rims of classically-inspired detail , attributing the model to the Chiurazzi Foundry of Naples , Italy , renowned producers of this type of high-quality bronze reduction in response to the desires of wealthy tourists for souvenirs whilst visiting the classical sites and sights of Italy and Europe.

The discovery and excavation of the original statue in 1862 at the site of Pompeii, caused a sensation and copies of the sculpture were in high demand by both “Grand Tourists” and collectors worldwide. The distinctive pose initially led to the statue being named as “Narcissus” perhaps gazing at his reflection in a pool , but later identified as Dionysus.

In a book sponsored by Chiurazzi et Fils , the secretary of the Naples Museum , Luigi Conforti , described the figure as the most beautiful bronze to have been discovered at Pompeii.

The antique original now exhibited in the Museo Nazionale , Naples , Italy .

Has a rich ,dark brown consistent patina with a golden hue . Minor high-points from handling.

H 26”

W 10”

D 10”

Italy , Naples c.1890

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