Early 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Relief Siena Marble Carved Profile Plaque of Dante Alighieri Paperweight

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Early 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Relief Siena Marble Carved Profile Plaque of Dante Alighieri Paperweight.
The relief features the … Read more Early 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Relief Siena Marble Carved Profile Plaque of Dante Alighieri Paperweight.
The relief features the unmistakable profile of the supreme Italian poet Dante Alighieri (1265–1321), universally celebrated as the author of the epic poem The Divine Comedy.
Produced primarily in Italy during the early 19th or early 20th century, souvenir plaques like this were highly collectible. Grand Tour travelers frequently purchased sets pairing Dante alongside other legendary historical and literary figures (such as the Roman poet Virgil) to display in their libraries.

The profile is masterfully hand-carved out of a warm, buttery-toned Giallo di Siena marble. The translucent property of the stone gives the facial features soft depth and realistic shading when hit by light. The carved silhouette is mounted to a shaped plaque made of Belgian black marble.

Dimensions: Height 7 1/4 in x Width 4 1/2 in x Depth 2 in.
Good condition, perfect carving, minor chips around the black marble . See less