Skip to main content

Video Loading

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 21

Antique Pair Italian Bronze Busts of Dionysus and Ariadne 19th Century

$2,115.70List Priceper set

About the Item

This is a fine antique pair of Italian Grand Tour solid bronze busts of Dionysus and Ariadne, circa 1860 in date. The pair feature black patinated finely cast busts which are mounted on gilt bronze socles raised on cylindrical Italian Milas Lilac, purple and white, marble plinths on black slate bases. These high-quality hot cast solid bronze bronzes were produced using the traditional "lost wax" process, otherwise known as the "cire perdue" method. The attention to detail here is remarkable and this truly beautiful pair of bronze busts are sure to receive the maximum amount of attention wherever placed. Condition: In really excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 31 cm x Width 13 cm x Depth 9 cm - Dionysus Height 30 cm x Width 15 cm x Depth 14 cm - Ariadne Dimensions in inches: Height 1 foot x Width 5 inches x Depth 3 inches - Dionysus Height 1 foot x Width 6 inches x Depth 5 inches - Ariadne Dionysus (Bacchus) Along with Demeter, Dionysus was worshipped as a god of the gifts of earth. He was the God of the Vine from which the grapes used to ferment wine were grown. Dionysus granted wine to the people of Greece in his travels, when he taught men how to cultivate grape vines. One of the most famous stories featuring Dionysus was during said travels, when Dionysus was spotted by a troop of pirates. He was a handsome, strong youth clad in opulent attire and so was mistaken to be a prince of sorts—the son of a king who would be able to grant a great ransom. The pirates brought Dionysus aboard and attempted to restrain him with ropes, but anyplace the rope touched Dionysus fell apart. When the crew realized their captive must be a god, a lone helmsman beseeched the captain to free him. The captain and the rest of the crew objected, at which point Dionysus used his divine powers to hold the ship in place with vines. Terrified, the crew leapt overboard to save themselves and where turned into dolphins when they hit the water. Only the helmsman was granted Dionysus’ mercy. Although Dionysus is characterized as a benign and beneficent, as any Olympian god this story reveals the cruelty Dionysus was capable of inflicting on mortals. ARIADNE was the immortal wife of the wine-god Dionysos. There were several versions of her story. In one, Ariadne, a daughter of King Minos of Krete (Crete), assisted Theseus in his quest to slay the Minotauros (Minotaur) and then fled with the hero aboard his ship. When they landed on the island of Naxos Theseus abandoned her as she slept. It was then that Dionysos discovered her and made her his wife. Some say she was later slain by the goddess Artemis or else ascended to Olympos with her husband as an immortal. According to others Ariadne's bridal with Dionysos occurred several generations before this when the god was still travelling the earth spreading his cult. During his war against Argives with a band of sea-women, Ariadne was slain or turned to stone by King Perseus. The god descended into the underworld to recover her and brought her back with him to Olympos. In Greek vase painting Ariadne is often depicted alongside Dionysos--either feasting with the gods of Olympos or in Bacchic scenes surrounded by dancing Satyroi (Satyrs) and Mainades. Dionysos' discovery of the sleeping Ariadne on Naxos was also a popular scene in classical art. Lost Wax Method sometimes called by the French name of cire perdue or the Latin, cera perduta is the process by which a bronze or brass is cast from an artists sculpture. In industrial uses, the modern process is called investment casting. An ancient practice, the process today varies from foundry to foundry, but the steps which are usually used in casting small bronze sculptures in a modern bronze foundry are generally quite standardised. Our reference: A4480

Dimensions:
Height: 12.21 in (31 cm)Width: 5.12 in (13 cm)Depth: 3.55 in (9 cm)
Sold As:
Set of 2
Style:
Grand Tour (In the Style Of)
Materials and Techniques:
Bronze,Marble,Slate
Place of Origin:
Italy
Period:
Mid-19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1860
Condition:
Seller Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: A44801stDibs: LU950644843922

You May Also Like

Antique Pair of Italian Bronze Busts: Dionysus and Ariadne, 19th Century

Located in Madrid, ES

This exquisite pair of antique Italian bronze busts represents the timeless allure of the Grand Tour era, featuring depictions of Dionysus and Ariadn...

Category

Antique 1880s Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Antique Pair of Italian Bronze Busts: Dionysus and Ariadne, 19th Century

Antique Pair of Italian Bronze Busts: Dionysus and Ariadne, 19th Century

$2,816

H 13 in W 4.34 in D 4.34 in

19th Century French Patinated Bronze Bust Of Ariadne

Located in Norwood, NJ

Antique 19th century French patinated bronze bust of Ariadne retailed by Tiffany & Co. Beautiful Grand Tour model mounted on a gilt bronze and rouge marble plinth. Marked Tiffany & Co. with inventory number. The Antinous bust based on the Lansdown Antinous marble found at Hadrian’s Villa...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Grand Tour Busts

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Patinated Bronze Bust Of Ariadne

19th Century French Patinated Bronze Bust Of Ariadne

$3,475

H 15 in W 6 in D 5.75 in

19th Century French Small Bronze Sculptures Dionysus Ariadne

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

19th Century French Small Bronze Sculptures Dionysus & Ariadne

Category

Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Small Bronze Sculptures Dionysus
Ariadne

19th Century French Small Bronze Sculptures Dionysus Ariadne

$720 Sale Price / set

20% Off

H 5.5 in W 2.25 in D 2.25 in

19th Century Bronze Group ‘Ariadne and the Panther’

Located in Gloucestershire, GB

A good sized 19th Century Classical Grand Tour bronze group of Ariadne and the. Modelled with Ariadne reclining to the left while her head is looking to the same side, with her robe ...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century German Grand Tour Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Bronze Group ‘Ariadne and the Panther’

19th Century Bronze Group ‘Ariadne and the Panther’

$4,586

H 14.97 in W 12.6 in D 6.3 in

19th Century Italian Grand Tour Bronze Bust of Dante

Located in San Francisco, CA

An exceptional large antique Italian Grand Tour Bronze and bust of Dante Alighieri, mid to late 19th century circa 1880. This fine bronze is modeled as the 13th century Italian Poet,...

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Busts

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Italian Grand Tour Bronze Bust of Dante

19th Century Italian Grand Tour Bronze Bust of Dante

$2,495

H 13.5 in W 17 in D 9.75 in

19th Century Italian Pair of Bronze Busts of Homer - Antique Décor Sculptures

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A small, antique Italian pair of busts of Homer made of hand crafted bronze, in good condition. The décor sculptures are resting on a red stone base. Minor fading, scratches due to a...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Italian Busts

Materials

Marble, Metal, Bronze

19th Century Italian Pair of Bronze Busts of Homer - Antique Décor Sculptures

19th Century Italian Pair of Bronze Busts of Homer - Antique Décor Sculptures

$7,700 / set

H 9 in W 3.25 in D 2.75 in

Pair of 19th Century Orientalist Bronze Busts

Located in Tarzana, CA

A pair of superb quality 19th century gilt and patinated bronze orientalist busts. Each young lady dressed in traditional middle eastern attire...

Category

Antique 19th Century Busts

Materials

Bronze

Pair of 19th Century Orientalist Bronze Busts

Pair of 19th Century Orientalist Bronze Busts

$18,500 / set

Free Shipping

H 14 in W 7 in D 5 in

pair of Italian 19th century Alabaster and Verde Ranocchia marble busts

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A wonderful and small scaled pair of Italian 19th century Grand Tour Period Alabaster and Verde Ranocchia marble bust of Torquato Tasso and Michele Sanmicheli. These most decorative ...

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Busts

Materials

Marble

pair of Italian 19th century Alabaster and Verde Ranocchia marble busts

pair of Italian 19th century Alabaster and Verde Ranocchia marble busts

$9,700 / set

H 12.5 in W 4.25 in D 4 in

19th Century Bronze Group ‘Ariadne and the Panther’

Located in Shipston-On-Stour, GB

A good sized 19th Century Classical Grand Tour Bronze group of Ariadne And The Panther, modelled with Ariadne reclining to the left while her head is looking to the same side, with h...

Category

Antique 1830s German Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Bronze Group ‘Ariadne and the Panther’

19th Century Bronze Group ‘Ariadne and the Panther’

$4,094

H 15 in W 12.5 in D 6.5 in

Italian 19th Century Patinated Bronze and Marble Bust

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

An impressive Italian 19th century patinated bronze and marble bust of a Roman Centurion signed P. Mormile. The bust is raised by a square Vert. de Patricia ...

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Busts

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Italian 19th Century Patinated Bronze and Marble Bust

Italian 19th Century Patinated Bronze and Marble Bust

$4,000

H 14 in W 7.75 in D 5.75 in

More From This Seller

Antique Pair of French Bronze Marly Horses Sculptures by Cousteau 19th Century

Located in London, GB

This is a fine antique pair of French Grand Tour patinated-bronze sculptures of the Marly Horses, Circa 1850 in date and signed to one base. The original Marly Horses were commissi...

Category

Antique 1850s French Grand Tour Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Antique Pair of French Bronze Marly Horses Sculptures by Cousteau 19th Century

Antique Pair of French Bronze Marly Horses Sculptures by Cousteau 19th Century

$4,026 / set

Antique Grand Tour Bronze Sculpture of Goddess Diana by Mercié 19th Century

Located in London, GB

An elegant French Grand Tour bronze figure of the Greek Goddess Diana by Marius-Jean-Antonin Mercié, French 1845 - 1916, dating from Circa 1880. The seated and robed Goddess Diana is holding a bow and arrows with her head downcast and raised on a circular plinth. Diana was originally considered to be a goddess of the wilderness and of the hunt, a central sport in both Roman and Greek culture. Early Roman inscriptions to Diana celebrated her primarily as a huntress and patron of hunters. Add a beautiful classical element to your home with this delightful bronze. Condition: In excellent condition with no dings, dents or signs of repair. Please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 41 x Width 29 x Depth 19 Dimensions in inches: Height 1 foot, 4 inches x Width 11 inches x Depth 7 inches Mercié entered the École des Beaux-Arts, Paris, and studied under Alexandre Falguière and François Jouffroy, and in 1868 gained the Grand Prix de Rome at the age of 23. His first great popular successes were the David and Gloria Victis, which was shown and received the Medal of Honour of the Paris Salon. The bronze was subsequently placed in the Square Montholon. The bronze David...

Category

Antique Early 1800s French Grand Tour Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Antique Grand Tour Bronze Sculpture of Goddess Diana by Mercié 19th Century

Antique Grand Tour Bronze Sculpture of Goddess Diana by Mercié 19th Century

$2,934

Antique Library Bronze of Napoleon Bonaparte 19th Century

Located in London, GB

This is a finely cast brown patinated bronze Grand Tour sculpture of Napoleon Bonaparte, Mid 19th Century in date. It features Napoleon standing contrapposto in uniform wearing a...

Category

Antique 1850s Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Antique Library Bronze of Napoleon Bonaparte 19th Century

Antique Library Bronze of Napoleon Bonaparte 19th Century

$2,661

Antique French Bronze Grand Tour Model of The Arc de Triomphe 19th Century

Located in London, GB

A delightful French bronze Grand Tour model of the Arc De Triomphe, circa 1860 in date. The beautifully realistic model is cast in high relief and is mounted on a black marble base....

Category

Antique 19th Century French Grand Tour Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Bronze Grand Tour Model of The Arc de Triomphe 19th Century

Antique French Bronze Grand Tour Model of The Arc de Triomphe 19th Century

$1,330

Antique Italian Grand Tour Patinated Bronze Sculpture of St Peter, 19th Century

Located in London, GB

A superb antique Italian Grand Tour patinated bronze sculpture of St Peter seated on a bronze throne, circa 1880 in date. This patinated bronze sculpture of St. Peter is after the original by Arnolfo di Cambio (1245-1302) in St. Peters basilica in Rome. It features St. Peter seated upon a carved marble throne...

Category

Antique 1880s Italian Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Antique Italian Grand Tour Patinated Bronze Sculpture of St Peter, 19th Century

Antique Italian Grand Tour Patinated Bronze Sculpture of St Peter, 19th Century

$1,194

Antique Sevres Bisque Porcelain Bust Marie Antoinette 19th Century

Located in London, GB

This is a fabulous decorative antique Sevres bisque porcelain bust of Marie Antoinette dating from early 19th Century and bearing the blue pain...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Busts

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Sevres Bisque Porcelain Bust Marie Antoinette 19th Century

Antique Sevres Bisque Porcelain Bust Marie Antoinette 19th Century

$1,842

Still Thinking About These?

All Recently Viewed

More Ways To Browse

19th Century Italian Grand Bronze

19th Century Italian Grand Tour Bronze Sculpture

Black Marble Plinth

19th Century Bronze Goddess Sculpture

Artemis Antique

Antique Greek Painting

Sculpture Ariadne

Dionysus Sculpture

Dionysus Bronze

Sleeping Ariadne

Marble Bust Of Ancient Women Greeks

Face Plaster Sculpture

View All Popular Busts Searches