PAIR OF SOMMER FOUNDRY NARCISSUS & VENUS CALLIPYGIAN BRONZE STATUES & PEDESTALS

Description

Royal House Antiques

Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this museum quality pair of Sommer Foundry Naples Verdigris Bronze statues of Narcissus & Venus Callipygian seated on Marble topped, Mahogany carved Corinthian pillars as displayed in the National Trust 

Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, for the UK it covers London only, for the rest of the world, it covers local Europe which is the east side of Belgium and France, if you are outside of these areas, please ask for a shipping quote before you bid 

These are the finest examples of this type of work I have seen in a very long time, each piece is stamped and comes with a wonderfully green bronze finish which is only achieved through honest age. The bases are as mentioned hand carved Mahogany with inset Marble panels 

I will include a full description below of each piece, the headlines are they are in perfect condition, they display wonderfully, the bases are 100% solid, these are gallery ready

Dimensions of the plinths

Height:- 114cm

Width:- 34cm

Depth:- 34cm

Dimensions of the statues

Height:- 62cm & 64cm

Width:- 25cm & 23.5cm

Depth:- 25cm & 25cm 

Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point, if you would like any additional or specific measurements please ask.

Narcissus 

After the antique, cast by the Giorgio Sommer Foundry The figure with raised right hand with a wine sack slung over his left shoulder, on foliate cast circular base, inscribed, FONDERIA ARTISTICA SOMMER NAPOLI

The bronze figure of Narcissus was unearthed in 1862 during excavations at Pompeii and is now housed in the Museo Nazionale in Naples. It is identified by his contemplative gaze which is likely directed at his own reflection and the gesture of his raised hand. The cast of the nude youth was depicted with a goat skin and an ivy wreath, blending naturalistic detail with idealized form. In the 19th century, the figure inspired numerous productions, particularly among Grand Tour travelers and was cast extensively by all three major Neapolitan foundries. 

Literature F. Haskell and N. Penny, Taste and the Antique – The Lure of Classical Sculpture 1500-1900, New Haven and London, 1981, pp. 271, fig. 141.

Venus Callipygian

GRAND TOUR MODEL AFTER ANTIQUITY Naples, Italy (19th Century) “The Callipygian Venus”

A beautifully cast Grand Tour piece of the Callipygian Venus after the life-size statue of antiquity, the sculpture was executed by the boutique foundry established by Giorgio Sommer (German/Italian, 1834-1914) for the casting of sculpture in bronze and later the carving of sculpture in marble. 

Giorgio Sommer was a German photographer who spent most of his career in Italy, moving to Naples in 1857 where he first established his photography business. At some point thereafter he opened the foundry, which was rather successful, likely due to the very fine quality of output the firm produced. While most records show the foundry opened in 1885, sources suggest they were producing sculpture early in the 1870s before exhibiting in 1885. Thereafter they produced illustrated catalogues of their sculpture for marketing and distribution. He died in 1914 and the foundry survived him only two years before closing its doors in 1916. 

The present example is a richly detailed model with extensive carving and articulation of the underlying model; note the rich stylus work in Venus’s hair, the handiwork apparent in the repeating motif around the base and the raised signature of the foundry, which is captured directly from the mold and not simply cold-tooled onto the base. 

The surface throughout is characterized by perfection: smooth and exquisitely finished garments and skin all finished in a medium-brown translucent patina. The model depicts the Callipygian Venus, also known as the Venus Kallipygos or the Aphrodite Kallipygos. The term “Callipygian” is derived from the Greek words “kallos” meaning beautiful, and “pyge” meaning buttocks. 

The original is an ancient Roman marble statue, itself a copy of an earlier Greek statue from the Hellenistic era. The sculpture depicts Venus (or Aphrodite in Greek mythology) looking back and lifting her drapery to reveal her lower back and buttocks. This subject was popular among tourists on the Grand Tour during the 18th and 19th centuries. Travelers would commission or purchase such artworks as mementos that reflected the cultural heritage they encountered on their journeys throughout Europe, especially in Italy. 

Such sculptures were admired not only for their aesthetic appeal but also for their cultural and historical significance, embodying the Neoclassical appreciation for the art and mythology of antiquity that was prevalent during the Grand Tour period. 

Literature: An excellent discussion on Fonderia Sommer can be found at Art UK rooted in original source material. Click here to read more on the foundry and Giorgio Sommer’s photography

Any questions please feel free to ask before you bid.    

 

ABOUT US

Royal House Antiques is a privately owned family ran business founded in Wimbledon SW19 and now based in Pulborough RH20. We specialise in finding, restoring very fine luxury antique leather seating, along with every single other type of antique ranging from the 16th century to the 20th century. We also stock a number of designer brands such as Fritz Hansen, Ralph Lauren, Cavalli, Charles & Ray Eames, Vitra, David Linley, Rolex, Tiffany, Jager Le Coulter and so on     

 

PAYMENTS

We accept payment via Bitcoin, Bitcoin cash, Ethereum, Bacs, Chaps, PayPal or Card, we would kindly ask that all items are paid for within 48 hours and collected within 7 working days, we can hold all paid items for 14 days free of charge, there after a £20 a week storage fee will apply. We have long term storage which is very economically priced, we are happy to hold stock for as long as needed providing it is arranged prior to the purchase 

If sold items aren’t collected within three months and no arrangements have been made for long term storage you will forfeit the item and payment

 

CONDITION

Please view the very detailed pictures as they form part of the description pertaining to the condition. Please also ask any questions before you bid and not after, all of our items are sold as seen and as listed

Royal House Antiques cannot be held liable for any independent assumptions made regarding the items we sell, if you are unsure on any point, please feel free to ask for clarity  

Please note vintage period and original items such as leather seating will always have natural patina in the form of creasing and wear, we recommend annual waxing to ensure no moisture is lost, also hand dyed leather is not recommended to sit in direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time as it will dry out and fade   

 

IMPORT DUTY

Most countries charge some kind of import duty however almost all of our items won’t incur any charges as the items are exempt from tax due to the age and materials used

For European deliveries the price you will be quoted will include all clearance documentation and any customs charges so there won’t be any additional fees

For international deliveries such as the United States there can be some import duty to pay and or a clearance fee, I would estimate that 99% of all deliveries clear customs without being stopped for either

All duties are the responsibility of the purchaser who is the importer, they can’t be covered by the seller or shipping agent or factored in with additional retrospective discounts

 

RETURNS

Royal House Antiques offers a no quibble return policy if the item is not as described, if there are any issues with the piece you will be refunded in full once the item has been returned and inspected within 14 days, alternatively if there is a small issue, we can discuss finding a mutual resolution that makes all parties happy

We don’t offer a sale on approval service which means you can purchase the item, have it delivered and if you simply don’t like it, return it, this comes under change of mind or doesn’t fit. There is a lot of time, money and work involved in transporting goods around the world, the costs incurred can be vast so my advice would be if you are unsure on a piece please ask as many questions as you like to make sure you understand everything before you buy, if you are still unsure then please either arrange a viewing in person or if that’s not possible then don’t buy from an online retailer, perhaps look for a local gallery instead