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

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

Neapolitan bronze casting probably by Chiurazzi foundry of the iconic bronze statue of Dionysus . The youthful god is depicted entirely naked except for a wine-skin slung over his shoulder , a grape-vine in his hair and wearing elaborate sandals, standing in a contrapposto pose . The circular base with a decorative cast edge of classical design.

This casting of the statue having been produced in a ‘faux excavation’ finish and patina, copying the antique original unearthed at Pompeii in 1862. The discovery was a sensation at the time and copies of this evocative bronze were highly sought after by collectors , classical scholars and ‘Grand Tourists’ alike . The image was thought to portray the subject admiring his reflection in a pool , hence the title Narcissus .

The Greek god Dionysus, known as Bacchus to the Romans , is the god of wine , the grape harvest, ritual madness and celebration.

The original bronze statue is now exhibited in the Museo Nazionale , Naples, Italy .

In excellent original condition with a dark green ‘faux excavation’ or ‘all’antica’ verdigris patination and surface.

H 26”

W 10”

D 10”

Italy. Naples c.1880

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