Lot 252
252
A PAIR OF BRONZE STANDARD BASES, of bulbous outline, each with a gadrooned upper part cast with acanthus, the central body raised with roundels and masks within ribbon-tied foliate swags, lions and decorated with military trophies above acanthus, above three seated winged lions, the plinth base raised with figures including a centaur, elephants and other figures within a simulated sea, on stepped foot

Details
A PAIR OF BRONZE STANDARD BASES, of bulbous outline, each with a gadrooned upper part cast with acanthus, the central body raised with roundels and masks within ribbon-tied foliate swags, lions and decorated with military trophies above acanthus, above three seated winged lions, the plinth base raised with figures including a centaur, elephants and other figures within a simulated sea, on stepped foot

64in. (162.5cm.) high (2)

Lot Essay

The present pair of standard bases are reductions of the central one of the three standard bases designed and executed by Allessandro Leopardi (d.1522) for the Piazza San Marco (circa 1501/5). The profile in the roundel of the upper section of the base is that of Doge Loredan. The relief on the lower section depicts the arrival in Venice of Justice and Victory. The original standard bases represented the the first stage of the transformation of the piazza during the 16th Century culminating in Sansovino's Library and Loggetta.

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