AFTER THE EGYPTIAN ANTIQUE IN THE PIAZZA SAN GIOVANNI IN LATERANO, ROME, 19TH CENTURY

Details

An Italian carved red marble model of the Obelisk of Contantine
After the Egyptian Antique in the Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano, Rome, 19th century
The plinth inscribed CONSTANTINUS PER CRUCEM VICTOR A S.SILVESTRO HIC BAPTIZATUS CRUCIS GLORIAM PROPACAVIT, on a black marble base, restoration
17in. (43cm.) high overall

Special notice

This lot is subject to Collection and Storage Charges. No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis

Lot Essay

Once the world's tallest obelisk, at 32.3 metres, the edifice was removed by Constantine the Great in about 357 A.D. from the Temple of Karnak at Luxor. He intended for it to be re-erected in Constantinople, but ultimately it was repositioned in Rome. It is known to have collapsed at some point prior to 1588, when it was re-erected in the Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano.
The carvings on the obelisk state that it was made by Tuthmosis III for his father Amun-Re and that, unusually it was intended as a single obelisk, (when more generally Egyptian obelisks were erected in pairs).

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