A Pair of Italian Grand Tour Siena marble oval portrait reliefs of the Roman Emperors Vaspasian and Domitius, Roman second half XVIII C.

Exhibited by Burzio.

Material Gilt bronze and marbles including Giallo and Rosso antico

Dimensions 12 × 8.5 cm

Place of Creation Rome

Price €12,000

Status Vetted

About the Work

A Pair of Italian Grand Tour Siena marble oval portrait reliefs of the Roman Emperors Vaspasian and Domitius set on a Rosso Antico ground, inscribed T VESP. AUG and DOMIT. AUG In bronze moulded frames with the suspension loops

Rome, second half of the 18th century.

The present pair of marble medallions were in all likelihood made in Rome to cater to Grand Tourists. They represent two Roman Emperors in profile and are made with marble alluding to the material, other than iconographic, repertoire of classical antiquity – with the characteristic taste for rare coloured oriental marble characterizing the artistic and architectural production in Rome under the Empire (from Augustus onwards). These marble portraits are emblematic of this kind of production for their combination of exquisite execution, informed use of material, and classicizing iconography .

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