Grand Tour Breche Sanguine & Gilt Bronze Mounted Navicella

Grand Tour Breche Sanguine & Gilt Bronze Mounted Navicella

A masterwork of 19th-century Italian craftsmanship, this Grand Tour sculpture is a striking interpretation of the ancient Roman Galley, the Navicella. Executed c.1800–1820, its vibrant Breche Sanguine marble and elaborate gilt bronze mounts exemplify the opulent style favoured by Grand Tour collectors.

Origin: Italy
Date: Circa 1800–1820
Material: Breche Sanguine marble, Belgium Black marble, gilt bronze

Dimensions: Height: 28.5 cm (11.5 in), Width: 58 cm (23 in), Depth: 20 cm (7.7 in)

Condition: Excellent condition for its age, with superb surface and original gilding.

This exceptional marble sculpture references the celebrated Fontana della Navicella in Rome, a Renaissance replica of an ancient Roman vessel, admired and studied by Grand Tour travellers. The Navicella’s flowing lines and neoclassical presence pay direct homage to statuary once admired before the church of Santa Maria in Domnica, making this piece not only historically significant but also intimately tied to the artistic pilgrimage tradition of the period. Breche Sanguine marble, sourced from the renowned quarries of Sidi Benyebka in Algeria, lends a vibrant and rare surface; panels of this same marble can be seen in the nave of Westminster Cathedral, London, underscoring its prestigious use among connoisseurs.

Notable Features:

• The marble sculpture is mounted atop a contrasting Belgium Black marble plinth, adorned on three sides with regal, gilded bronze mounts.
• Exquisite craftsmanship is evident in the deeply chased and cast gilt bronze, each embellished with laurel wreaths and detailed floral motifs amid spiralling leaves.
• The prow is boldly carved with a dramatically animated boar’s head, celebrating both the artistry and fierceness of antique Roman iconography.
• The Latin inscription ‘SI VIS PACEM PARA BELLVM’ (‘If you want peace, prepare for war’) in gilt bronze imbues the piece with classical gravitas.

With its unique scale, rare materials, and distinguished Grand Tour provenance, this marble sculpture is highly desirable for collectors of 19th-century art and lovers of Roman revival pieces. Ideal for prominent display in a fine collection or elegant interior, it embodies the grandeur and intellectual spirit of the Grand Tour, inviting admiration for its artistry and historical resonance.