Pair of 19th Century Grand Tour Hand-Carved Marble Sphinx Sculptures

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Pair of 19th-Century Grand Tour Hand-Carved Marble Sphinx Sculptures on Plinth Bases

Description:
A finely carved and substantial pair of … Read more Pair of 19th-Century Grand Tour Hand-Carved Marble Sphinx Sculptures on Plinth Bases

Description:
A finely carved and substantial pair of Grand Tour-era marble sphinx sculptures, each resting on a rectangular plinth base and rendered in creamy white marble with light natural veining. These 19th-century neoclassical decorative objects were likely acquired as souvenirs of elite European travel and reflect the era’s fascination with antiquity and Egyptian revival aesthetics.

Each sphinx is sculpted with the traditional nemes headdress, false beard, and stylized musculature, bearing regal and serene expressions. Notably, the two are individually modeled: their facial features and scale differ subtly, with one figure slightly taller and broader than the other—measuring approximately 7 inches and 6.75 inches high, respectively. The bases each measure 15.5 inches long by 5.25 inches deep. These variations affirm their hand-carved origin, possibly by different artisans or as a deliberate gesture toward individuality within a matched pair.

Executed in solid marble, the figures exhibit crisp incised detailing along the headdress and beard and a softly weathered surface patina consistent with 19th-century workmanship. They are evocative of the European Grand Tour tradition, in which affluent travelers collected architectural and sculptural replicas as testaments to classical education and cosmopolitan taste.

An impressive decorative statement, this pair would be ideal as flanking objects on a console or mantel or as monumental bookends or tabletop sculpture in a library, study, or curated interior.

Dimensions:
Each base: 15.5” L × 5.25” D
Heights: 7” H and 6.75” H

Condition:
Very good overall condition with light natural wear and surface markings consistent with age and material. No significant losses or repairs.

Origin:
Italy or France, circa 1880 See less