PAIR OF ANTIQUE ITALIAN ANTONIO CANOVA CORCORAN GALLERY OF ART WASHINGTON LIONS

Description

Royal House Antiques

Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this extremely collectable pair of original Antique Circa 1880 Italian Grand Tour Alabaster Recumbent Lions after the original huge statues by Antonio Canova and as displayed in the Corcoran gallery of Art in Washington

These are original examples not later copies, they have a stunning antique patina and look expensive and important in any setting

Grand tour pieces were purchased by young men and women in high society when they finished their studies, they would go on a “Grand Tour” around Europe visiting the sites and collecting trinkets, these trinkets could be very small such as ingots, or if you were fabulously wealthy they would be much larger and heavier like these lions 

About Tomb of Pope Clement XIII 

The artwork, titled “Tomb of Pope Clement XIII,” is a sculpture created by Antonio Canova in 1792. Belonging to the Neoclassicism art movement, this masterpiece exemplifies the genre of sculpture. 

In the artwork, Canova masterfully arranges various sculptural elements to create a poignant and regal composition. The tomb consists of a carved effigy of Pope Clement XIII, situated in a reverent pose atop an elaborately adorned sarcophagus. The Pope’s figure is cloaked in flowing garments, kneeling in prayer, signifying his piety. Below, two imposing lions flank the monument, symbolizing strength and vigilance. An angelic figure, wings partially spread, gazes downwards with a sorrowful expression, embodying the eternal mourning for the departed. Adjacent to the angel, a robed woman stands, her somber posture accentuating the tomb’s solemn atmosphere. The architectural framework, with its towering columns and vaulted arch, adds to the grandeur and reverence of the entire composition, upholding the Neoclassical ideals of symmetry, order, and monumental form.

Later in life the Canova Lions were replicated, they are located in front of the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C, these were cast in bronze from molds of the originals. The pieces were installed in 1860

This pair as mentioned are sublime, they really set the scene for a room, I’ve had a pair on the top of my piano for years with a large Tiffany lamp in between and they look exquisite 

Dimensions

Height:- 20cm

Width:- 31cm

Depth:- 11cm

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

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