Tag: Grand Tour obelisks

Hardstone columns and obelisks. Mostly made in Italy where they made oceans of these to sell to all those rich gentlemen making the Grand Tour, all of whom needed lots of souvenirs to take home to Mother. Some a little later than others copying earlier 19th century designs.

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Set of five ormolu mounted marble and hardstone columns, surmounted respectively by a classical urn, spread-winged eagle or bust of Mercury. 20th c, after the antique. Made from various made of various specimen marble and hardstones. Image © CHRISTIE’S 2020. Fair use license. via https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot/a-set-of-five-ormolu-mounted-marble-and-5704130-details.aspx
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“Grand Tour” obelisks. Late 19th c. Brown and white marble. 1880. Italian. Image © 1stdibs.com, Inc. 2020. Fair use license. via https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/more-furniture-collectibles/home-accents/obelisks/pair-of-italian-grand-tour-obelisks-brown-white-marble/id-f_18717382/
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Faux hardstone obelisks. 19th c. Continental. Carved wood and Papier-mâché decoration, imitating lapis lazuli. Maker not known. In the public domain. via https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a3/ef/a0/a3efa06d60e2e83540700de3b8dd9b61.jpg
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Two pairs of ormolu mounted hardstone columns. One pair in red jasper surmounted by seated griffins, The second pair inf brèche violette and white marble, surmounted by rosso antico orbs. Late 19th-early 20th c. Italian. Image © CHRISTIE’S 2020 and lot-art.com. Fair use license. via https://www.lot-art.com/auction-lots/TWO-PAIRS-OF-ITALIAN-ORMOLU-MOUNTED-HARDSTONE-COLUMNS-LATE-19THEARLY-20TH-CENTURY/143propertyof-two_pair-07.5.20-christie
Pair of ormolu-mounted porphyry and granite obelisks, each obelisk on a rectangular plinth hung with laurel swags and lion mouths on giallo antico base. 19th-20h c, possibly earlier. Image © CHRISTIE’S 2024. Fair use license. via https://onlineonly.christies.com/s/collector-new-york/pair-ormolu-mounted-porphyry-granite-obelisks-602/221235?ldp_breadcrumb=back

Pair of marble and simulated marble obelisks, the tapering obelisks inlaid with a variety of marbles and hardstones, on plinth bases. Late 19th c. Made in Italy. Image Image © 2024 Sotheby’s. Fair use license. via https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2024/classic-design-furniture-clocks-silver-ceramics/a-pair-of-italian-simulated-specimen-marble