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Grand Tour Marble Model of Scipio's Tomb

Offered by: Acroterion

Description
A rare early 19th century Italian Grand Tour model of the tomb of Roman consul Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus, the sarcophagus of rectangular form in carved solid Belgian black marble (Nero del Belgio), the lid with acanthus-scrolled ends, the front edge incised and yellow painted CORNELIVS. C. N. F. SCIPIO, the sarcophagus having graduated and dentil cornice above Doric entablature with triglyphs, rosette metopes, and guttae above yellow painted incised inscription reading: CORNELIVS.LVCIVS.SCIPIO·BARBATVS.GNAIVOD.PATRE
PROGNATVS.FORTIS.VIR.SAPIENSQVE.QVOIVS·FORMA·VIRTVTEI·PARISVMA
FVIT. CONSOL.CENSOR.AIDILIS.QVEI.FVIT.APVD.VOS.TAVRASIA·CISAVNA
SAMNIO.CEPIT.SVBIGIT.OMNE.LOVCANA.OPSIDESQVE.ABDOVCIT translated as "Cornelius Lucius Scipio Barbatus, sprung from Gnaeus his father, a man strong and wise, whose appearance was most in keeping with his virtue, who was consul, censor, and aedile among you - He captured Taurasia Cisauna in Samnium - he subdued all of Lucania and led off hostages" on a deep compound graduated plinth on a Giallo Antico marble base.

Most examples of this form house inkwells, this example quite rare as the interior is hollow, possibly for use as a match safe or quill nib receptacle.

Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus (died circa 280 BC) was one of the two elected Roman consuls in 298 BC and led the Roman army to victory against the Etruscans near Volterra. A member of the noble Roman family of Scipiones, he was the father of Lucius Cornelius Scipio and Gnaeus Cornelius Scipio Asina and great-grandfather of Scipio Africanus and believed to be the founder of the Tomb of the Scipios in Rome.

The sarcophagus of Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus is a solid tuff burial coffin of circa 150 BC, once located in the Tomb of the Scipios in Rome and now in the Vestibolo Quadrato of the Pio-Clementine Museum in the Vatican Museum complex. The Tomb of the Scipios was discovered in 1780.

More Information

Origin:	Italy
Period:	19th Century
Materials:	Carved Belgian Black and Giallo Antico marble
Condition:	Fair. Scattered minor chips around extremities; lid with restored break; presents beautifully.
Creation Date:	circa 1820
Styles / Movements:	Classical, Other, Neoclassical
Incollect Reference #:	316864

Dimensions

W.	8.32 in;	H.	4.38 in;	D.	2.63 in;
W.	21.13 cm;	H.	11.13 cm;	D.	6.68 cm;

Message from Seller:

Acroterion, the company, founded in late 2012, is by appointment in the historic Hudson Valley of upstate New York specializing in exceptional fine and decorative art from eastern to western, ancient to current; with a focus on the unique and timeless. The curated inventory is ever-changing and discriminately chosen by the founder and owner Randal Dawkins. Having a passion for fine objects and design from an early age, Mr. Dawkins graduated in 2004 from Sotheby’s Institute of Art, London.

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