Two Large Grand Tour Gilt Bronze Models of the Column of Marcus Aurelius and Trajan's Column

19th Century

each mounted on rotating metal bases.
Height of each 30 1/4 inches.

Property from a Prominent Corporate Collection

Note:

In mid- to late 18th century Rome, Luigi Valadier (Italian, 1726-1785), the city's preeminent decorative artist, created highly elaborate works of bronze and silver for wealthy patrons. Among his signature creations were scaled-down reproductions of monuments from Roman antiquity intended for use as dining table centerpieces, known as desers. In 1805, Prussian casters Wilhelm Hopfgarten (German, 1789-1860) and Benjamin Ludwig Jollage (German, 1781-1837) opened a foundry and chasing workshop in Rome, and began producing a more diverse array of architectural models intended as Grand Tour souvenirs.

The present two models are very similar to those cast by Hopfgarten and Jollage, which were almost always unsigned. While these examples of Trajan's Column and the Column of Marcus Aurelius lack surmounting figures, traces of the the feet of Trajan and Marcus Aurelius remain visible, reflecting the Prussian firm's preference for rendering monuments as they appeared in antiquity. Throughout the 19th century, other bronze foundries followed Hopfgarten and Jollage in suit, producing nearly indistinguishable souvenir models in similar materials and styles, including the Parisian foundry Leblanc Frères.

In good and stable condition overall. Each with surface wear in the form of small dents, marks, scratches and minor loss to gilt scattered throughout consistent with age and handling. The inscription plate on the base of Trajan's Column is slightly raised and loose. There is a break in the reticulated border around the top of the Marcus Aurelius column, but remains intact and stable. Each example lacking figures to the top, with portions of the feet remaining visible. Additional images available upon request.

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Corbin Horn

Vice President, Head of Department, European Furniture & Decorative Arts

[email protected]312.334.4214

Mr. Horn joined the firm in 2009 and has directed numerous sales of important collections, including those of Lilly Pulitzer, Lord Anthony and Lady Jacobs, Lars Bolander, Casa de Sueños in Miami Beach, and Villa Massei in Lucca, Italy. He has also achieved record results for consignments from prominent institutions, including the Toledo Museum of Art, the High Museum of Art, the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Minnesota Historical Society. Mr. Horn is a member of the Antiquarian Society of the Art Institute of Chicago and is an alumnus of the Attingham Trust.

Nick Coombs

Vice President, Senior Specialist, European Furniture & Decorative Arts

[email protected]312 280 1212

Nick Coombs is a senior specialist in the Furniture & Decorative Arts department and also the Coins, Medals & Banknotes department at Freeman's.
Prior to joining Freeman's in 2014, Mr. Coombs worked for PCGS Currency in Peoria, Illinois, where he was responsible for the grading and authentication of paper money. This enabled him to travel to dozens of coin and currency shows a year and develop a lifelong passion for numismatics. In addition to heading the Coins, Medals & Banknotes department at Freeman's, Mr. Coombs works closely with Furniture & Decorative Arts department and has directed auctions for philatelics, memorabilia, scientific instruments, and fountain pens. He received a BA in art history from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a master of letters in art and art world practice from the University of Glasgow.

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European Furniture & Decorative Arts

Two Large Grand Tour Gilt Bronze Models of the Column of Marcus Aurelius and Trajan's Column

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