Items Similar to Pair of Grand Tour Bronze Busts, “Homer” & “Pseudo-Seneca”, circa 1880
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 21
Pair of Grand Tour Bronze Busts, “Homer” & “Pseudo-Seneca”, circa 1880
About the Item
GRAND TOUR
Italian School
Pair of Busts, "Homer" & "Pseudo-Seneca", after Antiquity
Patinated bronze mounted on solid marble plinths cast by Chiurazzi, Naples circa 1880 each sealed with foundry cachet on shoulder
Item # 304KUV24Y
A rare and exciting pair of Grand Tour busts after Antiquity, each is executed in bronze and finished in a Herculaneum black patina with hints of verde in the underlying surface by the foundry of J. Chiurazzi of Naples. Foundry seals are located on their shoulders verso.
The first is a fine cast of Homer after the marble bust of Antiquity formerly in the Farnese collection and currently in the permanent collection of the National Archaeological Museum of Naples. It depicts the aged Greek poet and author of the Illiad and the Odyssey as a bearded man dressed in a tunic with a ribbon holding back his hair while concerned wrinkles line his forehead. His eyes are empty and devoid of anything, the absence alluding to his blindness while the sheer intensity of his spirit overwhelms the viewer. His simple garment are a reminder of his poverty.
The second bust known as "Pseudo Seneca" is cast after the original bust of antiquity found in 1754 at Herculaneum in the Villa of the Papyri, the home of Lucius Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus, father-in-law of Julius Caesar. The estate was buried in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The bust had been thought to be an image of Lucius Annaeus Seneca - Seneca the Younger - the famous Stoic philosopher and fabulously wealthy advisor to Nero. However, after a titled bust of Seneca was discovered with very different features, scholars now have various opinions on the attribution of the bust with most believing it to be an image of Hesiod or Aristophanes, while some also attribute it to Aesop, Apollonius of Rhodes, or Callimachus. The sculptor must have been very famous and the image of lasting quality, as forty copies of the bust made in antiquity have been found. It is incredibly dramatic, the emmaciated man looking forward with elements of sorrow, determination and haggard exhaustion as his unkempt hair furls chaotically around his forehead. Importantly, the present example retains its original inlaid marble eyes, a powerful counterpoint to "Homer". As expected in the early examples from the Chiurazzi foundry, the chiseling is exceedingly good and leaves the viewer with equal portions of sorrow and awe. The withered, impoverished and defeated images before the viewer exist in contradiction with the powerhouse of thought and longevity of influence these two figures were to represent.
They represent a rare and exciting selection for the carefully coordinated library or study.
*Please note, these busts are incredibly heavy, each weighing in at approximately 325 lbs each. Plans should be made to have professional assistance to unpack and move them into place upon receipt.
Measurements: 42" H x 11 1/4" D x 14 1/4" W
Condition Report:
Trace wear to the original patina throughout, particularly to the relief: raised edges of hair, noses, cheeks, etc. Original marble plinths each with extensive chipping throughout. An incredibly fine presentation, ready to place.
About silla antiques & art
Established in 2009, we have available in our 9000 square foot brick-and-mortar gallery an ever-changing selection of carefully curated and catalogued furniture, decorative arts, paintings, sculpture and estate jewelry. Our company has long specialized in sculpture circa 1860 through 1930 and as such the gallery always has a very large collection of exceptional European and American sculpture available on display.
The gallery is located at 117 W Burd Street in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania and is open by appointment only. We welcome your visit and would love to meet with you at the shop. For clients located outside of the area, we are always available to discuss items by video conferencing or by phone.
- Creator:Chiurazzi fondata (Sculptor)
- Dimensions:Height: 42 in (106.68 cm)Width: 14.25 in (36.2 cm)Depth: 11.25 in (28.58 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Grand Tour (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1880
- Condition:See condition notes in description text.
- Seller Location:Shippensburg, PA
- Reference Number:
About the Seller
4.9
Recognized Seller
These prestigious sellers are industry leaders and represent the highest echelon for item quality and design.
Platinum Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are 1stDibs' most experienced sellers and are rated highest by our customers.
Established in 2009
1stDibs seller since 2014
472 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Shippensburg, PA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Italian Grand Tour Antique Bronze Sculpture, Bust of Julius CaesarLocated in Shippensburg, PAGRAND TOUR Italian, 19th century Bust of Julius Caesar Patinated and pigmented sand-cast bronze over Violet Breche marble socle unsigned Item # 212WHZ09P A finely cast and beau...Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Busts
MaterialsMarble, Bronze
- 19th Century Grand Tour Bronze Sculpture “Callipygian Venus” of AntiquityLocated in Shippensburg, PAGRAND TOUR MODEL AFTER ANTIQUITY Naples, Italy (19th Century) "The Callipygian Venus" Sand-cast and patinated bronze signed foundry mark in the base "Fonderia Artistica Sommer Nap...Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsBronze
- Pair of French Bronze Sculptures Busts “Comedy & Tragedy” by Eugene LaurentBy Emmanuel Marcel LaurentLocated in Shippensburg, PAEUGENE LAURENT French, 1832-1898 "Comedy & Tragedy" Patinated bronze on original black marble bases Unsigned, cast circa 1885 Item # 211PPA29S A rare and exceptional pair of br...Category
Antique 19th Century French Romantic Busts
MaterialsMarble, Bronze
- Rare Bronze Sculpture of “Arab on Camel” by Antoine-Louis Barye circa 1880By Antoine-Louis BaryeLocated in Shippensburg, PAANTOINE-LOUIS BARYE French, 1796-1875 "Dromadaire Monté par un Arabe" Nuanced green and black patinated bronze signed in base "BARYE" cold-stamped foundr...Category
Antique 19th Century French Romantic Animal Sculptures
MaterialsBronze
- Bronze Sculpture “Lion Assis No. 2”, Antoine Louis Barye, circa 1880By Antoine-Louis BaryeLocated in Shippensburg, PAANTOINE-LOUIS BARYE French, 1796-1875 "Lion Assis, no. 2" Sand-cast bronze with autumnal patina signed in cast BARYE, stamped verso "AD" surmounted by a ...Category
Antique 19th Century French Romantic Animal Sculptures
MaterialsBronze
- French Antique Bronze Sculpture of Pointer Dog by Pierre-Jules Mêne circa 1880By Pierre Jules MêneLocated in Shippensburg, PAPIERRE-JULES MÊNEFrench, 1810-1879"Chien braque à la feuille"Medium-brown patinated sand-cast bronze raised edge signature cast into base "P.J. MÊNE" pr...Category
Antique 19th Century French Romantic Animal Sculptures
MaterialsBronze
You May Also Like
- Grand Tour Bronze Bust of SenecaLocated in Essex, MAModeled after the original found at Pompeii.Category
Antique 1880s Italian Grand Tour Busts
MaterialsBronze
- Grand Tour Bronze Bust of HomerLocated in Essex, MAFrom the J. Chiurazzi foundry in Naples. Homer with nice rich patina on a Siena marble socle. Foundry medallion on back of base.Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Busts
MaterialsSiena Marble, Bronze
- Grand Tour Bronze Bust of Homer, Italy, Circa:1890Located in Alexandria, VAThis solid (except for the pedestal) hand-cast bronze is of the 8th Century BCE Greek poet, author of the Iliad & the Odyssey. Although there are no images from life of Homer, busts ...Category
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Busts
MaterialsBronze
- Italian Grand Tour Bronze Bust of CaesarLocated in Essex, MABronze bust on yellow marble socle.Category
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Busts
MaterialsMarble, Bronze
- Fine Pair of Grand Tour Style Miniature Bronze Busts, Continental, circa 1900By Gladenbeck FoundryLocated in Ottawa, OntarioA very handsome pair of classical bronze busts raised on white alabaster columns decorated with gilt metal rings, atop squared rouge royal marble...Category
Early 20th Century German Grand Tour Busts
MaterialsAlabaster, Bronze
- Grand Tour Style Bronze Bust of ClytieLocated in West Palm Beach, FLGrand Tour Style bronze bust of Clytie, after the antique, the nymph with downcast face and scantily draped, cupped in a large flower. Raised on a 6" sq...Category
Early 20th Century French Grand Tour Busts
MaterialsBronze
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Grand Tour Bronze
The Grand Tour Sculpture
Grand Tour Original
Grand Tour Bronze Antique
Grand Tour Antiques
Jewlery Bust
Italian Grand Tour Sculpture
Grand Tour Bronze Sculpture
Pair Grand Tour
Italian Foot Sculpture
Antique Grand Tour Bronze Sculpture
Italian Grand Tour Bronzes
Shop Bust
Homer Grand Tour
Antique Italian Grand Tour Bronze
Grand Tour Collection
Grand Tour Greek
Antique Grand Tour Painting