A large Grand Tour specimen marble column plinth, in green serpentine and Carrara marble. Italy, 19th century.

Why we like it

Its impressive scale and the splendid colour, beautifully comlemented by the finely cast and chased ormolu (gilt bronze) base, make this object a powerful decorative statement on its own, or a very suitable stand for a fine bust or a vase, evoking classical sophistication of a well-travelled gentleman's library of the Enlightenment era.

Italian green serpentine, also called “serpentine porphyry” (“porfido serpentino”) had been used since the antiquity for sculpture and architectural elements, this stone is very decorative in its appearance. A 2nd century AD dog statue from Gardens of Maecenas carved from this stone is at the Capitoline Museum in Rome.

Dimensions

Height: 16 in / 41 cm
Width: 7.5 in / 19 cm
Depth: 7.5 in / 19 cm