Pair of French Grand Tour Antique Bronze “Townley” Vases Urns circa 1870

GRAND TOUR PATINATED BRONZE TOWNLEY VASES, A PAIR
Probably French, cast circa 1870

10" H x 4" D (base) x 5 5/8" W

Cast in bronze after the celebrated Roman marble known as the Townley Vase, this pair follows the antique prototype discovered in 1773 at Monte Cagnolo near the Villa of Antoninus Pius by the antiquities dealer Gavin Hamilton for the collector Charles Townley. The original, a Roman work of the 2nd century AD after a Greek model, entered the collection of the British Museum in 1805.

Each vessel is formed in the manner of a classical krater, with opposed volute handles rising above the rim. The bodies are encircled with continuous Bacchic reliefs, depicting Pan and attendant figures in procession, rendered in high relief against a finely textured ground. The necks are bordered with bas-relif gadrooned edge while the plinth is raised on falling acanthus.

The vases are mounted on original marble plinths

Condition: Light wear to raised figures and elements, overall rather pleasing and nuanced. Chipping to the marble bases. Both lacking interior liners. One handle with areas of roughness, patina loss, and slight flattening at the upper edge almost certainly from being dropped at one point. Carefully cleaned, sealed in conservator's wax and ready to place.

ref. 602VRF24P