EARLY 19TH CENTURY, INCORPORATING EARLIER ELEMENTS

Details

A FLORENTINE BRONZE, ORMOLU AND GREEN-SERPENTINE MARBLE CENTREPIECE
Early 19th Century, incorporating earlier elements
In the form of a three-tiered fountain with twin-dolphin finial above an oval dish with waved edge, on a baluster column with lappeted band, above a further oval dish with winged dolphin heads at each corner, on an entwined dolphin support, above a pair of scallop-shells held by four satyrs, with two further dolphins and two mermaids astride turtles, on a rectangular stepped ciopollino marble base with re-entrant corners, two dolphin mouths chipped, the finial with a later one inch piece of wood under the finial, the four satyr figures possibly 17th Century, the two mermaids and turtles probably Flemish 17th Century
20in. (51cm.) wide; 21in. (53cm.) high; 14in. (35.5cm.) deep

Provenance

Almost certainly acquired in Italy by Sir George Hamilton Seymour (1797-1880) when resident minister in Florence circa 1830
Thence by direct descent

Lot Essay

This centrepiece was greatly admired by Sir George Hamilton Seymour's great friend, Leopold II, the Hapsburg Grand Duke of Tuscany (d. 1870) and was the subject of a friendly exchange. Sir George said he would be delighted to give it to the Grand Duke providing he promised to build a lifesize replica in Florence for the horses to drink from!

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