1 of 8

19th Century Neoclassical Grand Tour Bronze Model of the Temple of Vesta, Rome

$1,450List Price

About the Item

A 19th century Grand Tour neoclassical bronze architectural model of the Temple of Vesta, Rome, circa 1875, on a square grey marble base. The primary value in going on the Grand Tour was the exposure it provided to the cultural legacy of classical antiquity and the Renaissance for, primarily, the aristocratic and fashionably polite society of the European continent. Later in the 19th century, models like this one were created as souvenirs for travelers of many types seeking to remember their experience visiting the wonders of the Classical world. This model is well detailed and makes for great decoration. The top is also removable and reveals a compartment where a glass inkwell may have once been. History: Containing the sacred fire and the Palladium, an effigy of Athene (Minerva) believed to have been brought by Aeneas from Troy, this ancient temple was built in imitation of a primitive round hut, its hearth fire symbolizing the perpetuity of the Roman State. It was not a true temple in that its space was not inaugurated, nor did it contain an image of Vesta, the goddess of the household hearth. As the handmaidens of Vesta, the principal duty of the six Vestals was never to allow the flame to be extinguished, an arduous task in a building with a vent in the roof. There also was danger that the temple, itself, might catch fire, which it sometimes did. It was destroyed in the fire of Nero in AD 64, which reached this point of the Forum. The last time it burned, in AD 191, the temple was restored by Julia Domna, the wife of Severus. Once a year, on June 15, the ashes of the tended fire were ritually thrown into the Tiber. (Source: Penelope, University of Chicago). All temples to Vesta were round, and had entrances facing east to symbolize connection between Vesta’s fire and the sun as sources of life. The Temple of Vesta represents the site of ancient cult activity as far back as 7th century BCE. Numa Pompilius is believed to have built this temple along with the original Regia and House of the Vestal Virgins in its original form. Around the Temple stood The Sacred Grove, in which also there was a graveyard for the priests and virgins. The Temple of Vesta was destroyed and rebuilt many times. The broken column fragment in the model is a romantic version of the ruins.

Dimensions:
Height: 4.5 in (11.43 cm)Width: 4 in (10.16 cm)Depth: 4 in (10.16 cm)
Style:
Neoclassical (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Belgian Black Marble,Bronze,Cast
Place of Origin:
Italy
Period:
1870-1879
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1875
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Age appropriate wear to marble base.
Seller Location:
Essex, MA
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU837712523751

Antique Mid-19th Century European Grand Tour Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Grand Tour Antique Handmade Bronze Mortar with Pestle

$540

H 4.34 in Dm 4.93 in

Pair of Grand Tour Egyptian Porphyry Obelisks, 19th Century

Located in Spencertown, NY

The pair of obelisks with gilt lion faces on front base and gilt lion paws at corners, signed indistinctly. Rome dated 1893.

Category

Antique 1890s Italian Grand Tour Architectural Models

Materials

Porphyry, Bronze

Pair of Grand Tour Egyptian Porphyry Obelisks, 19th Century

$9,500 / set

H 20 in W 4 in D 4 in

19th Century Italian Grand Tour Bronze of “The Dying Gaul”

Located in Kastrup, DK

A neoclassical Grand Tour sculpture in dark-patinated bronze depicting The Dying Gaul — an iconic motif after the famous ancient original from Pergamon. Mounted on an oval Siena marb...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Paperweights

Materials

Siena Marble, Bronze

19th Century Italian Grand Tour Bronze of “The Dying Gaul”

$582

H 3.35 in W 4.73 in D 2.56 in

19th Century Italian Grand Tour Bronze Inkwell

By Severo Calzetta da Ravenna

Located in Miami Beach, FL

After a 16th century Venetian design, winged putti with taloned legs support a turned bronze inkwell covered with a lid decorated with masks and garla...

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Italian Grand Tour Bronze Inkwell

$760 Sale Price

20% Off

H 6 in Dm 3.5 in

Italian Grand Tour Marble Model of a Roman Labrum or Bath, circa 1810

Located in Kinderhook, NY

Rare early 19th century Italian Grand Tour model of an ancient Roman labrum (bath) or sarcophagus in exquisitely carved rosso antico marble having double ring handles and central lio...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Architectural Models

Materials

Marble

Italian Grand Tour Marble Model of a Roman Labrum or Bath, circa 1810

$16,875

H 6.38 in W 12.75 in D 5.38 in

Grand Tour Marmo Rosso Model of the Tomb of Scipio, Italian, 19th Century

Located in Spencertown, NY

The red marble sarchophagus mounted on a slate base. Removing the top reveals an empty well.

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Grand Tour More Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Grand Tour Marmo Rosso Model of the Tomb of Scipio, Italian, 19th Century

$6,000

H 5 in W 8.75 in D 3.5 in

19th Century Tomb of the Scipios Grand Tour Souvenir

Located in New Orleans, LA

This incredible Grand Tour inkwell relic takes the form of the ancient Tomb of the Scipios, a family of Roman war heroes and generals. Beautifully carved ent...

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Inkwells

Materials

Siena Marble

19th Century Tomb of the Scipios Grand Tour Souvenir

$14,500

H 4.25 in W 8 in D 2.25 in

Grand Tour Neoclassical Style Faux-Marble Temple

Located in Roma, IT

Beautiful and important wooden memorial temple covered in faux marble. From the purest neoclassical form, this Grand Tour piece of furniture is a classic piece of furniture of grea...

Category

Antique 1810s Italian Neoclassical Mounted Objects

Materials

Wood, Paper

Grand Tour Neoclassical Style Faux-Marble Temple

$1,441

H 15.36 in W 11.82 in D 3.94 in

Marble inkwell Souvenir of the Grand Tour Rome late 18th century

Located in Pistoia, IT

Capital-shaped white marble inkwell, souvenir of the Grand Tour, Roman workshop, late 18th century. Rome was considered the stop par excellence of the Grand Tour, as it represente...

Category

Antique 18th Century Italian Classical Roman Inkwells

Materials

Marble

Marble inkwell Souvenir of the Grand Tour Rome late 18th century

$1,921

H 3.15 in W 4.61 in D 3.55 in

Model with Nasrid Plasterwork Motif from Granada Second Half of the 19th Century

Located in Marbella, ES

Mould with Nasrid plasterwork motif. Granada, second half of the 19th century. Plaster. It has slight flaws on the edges. Measurements: 28 x 41 x 2 m. Following the Mudéjar tradition of working plaster as a decorative material, this plaster mould...

Category