Pair of Grand Tour Bronze Two-Handled Pompeiian Cups Circa 1875

Description

RAND TOUR PAIR OF BRONZE IVY AND VINE BAS-RELIEF DECORATED TWO-HANDLED 'SCYPHUS' (OR 'SKYPHOS') CUPS ON BLACK MARBLE SOCLE AFTER … more RAND TOUR PAIR OF BRONZE IVY AND VINE BAS-RELIEF DECORATED TWO-HANDLED 'SCYPHUS' (OR 'SKYPHOS') CUPS ON BLACK MARBLE SOCLE AFTER ANTIQUITY
Cast by the foundry of Auguste Delafontaine, undersides of handles cold-stamped "A D" surmounted by a star | cast circa 1876-1884
Item # 406LWO03P

An exceedingly beautiful and crisply cast pair of Grand Tour scyphus (or skyphos) cups modeled after the discoveries in Pompeii in 1835, they were a common Roman form and cups of similar in inspiration were found in a villa at Boscoreale near Pompeii that was likewise buried by Vesuvius during the eruption of AD 79 when it was excavated in 1895. Among the treasures there was a silver scyphus featuring embossed plane tree branches and leaves of similar form to the ivy on vines with seedlings discovered just a few kilometers away in 1835. Ivy was a common motif and its use in decoration and symbolism during the period is frequent. In the Works of Virgil, he writes speaking of a cup of similar decoration:

"But what thou thyself shalt own of far greater value, since thou choosest to be mad, I will stake my beechen bowls, the carved work of divine Alcimedon,’ round which a curling vine, super- added by the skillful carver's art, mantles the clustering berries diffusely spread by the pale ivy."

The present pair are raised each on a gorgeous polished black belgian marble column fluted around all sides with a cove-molded ring around the base over the squared footer with inverted corners. Note the extraordinary attention shown to the chiseling, chasing and stippling of the surface - it has been hand hammered extensively with fine engraved details throughout. The underside of the flat handles are stamped "A.D." surmounted by a star, which typically is seen between the years of 1876 and 1884.

An exceedingly fine presentation.


Measurements: 11 1/16" H x 5 1/2" D x 7 3/16" W (handles); cup is 4 3/4" H without the base

Condition Report:
Trace wear and discoloration to the natural oxidization and patina of the cups; inside of cups with discoloration and oxidization; very minor chipping and wear to the black marble pedestals; very fine presentation. less