Columns: Oriental lumachella, also called lumachella antica or lumachella minuta d’Egitto, quarry at Henchir Kasbat (formerly Thuburbo Maius), in Tunisia. This extremely rare Mesozoic limestone was particularly prized by the scalpellini (stonemasons) of Rome. Rome, period of the Roman Antiquity (most likely repolished during the Renaissance).
Base in gilded bronze, plinth in Fior di pesco Apuano marble from the quarries of Tuscany, and capitals in gilded bronze: France, Neoclassical period.
H. of columns in lumachella antica: 142.5 cm. (56 1/8 in.).
Total H. with base and capital: 180 cm. (71 in.).
Terrace of the capitals in gilded bronze: 23.7 x 23.7 cm. (9 3/8 x 9 3/8 in.).
Bases in peach blossom marble: H. 25 cm. (9 7/8 in.); L. 28 cm. (11 in.); W. 28 cm. (11 in.).
MARKS AND INSCRIPTIONS: 928(?)/DE(?)/N(?),inventory marks painted in red under the shaft of one of the two columns; I painted in black next to the preceding mark.
PROVENANCE: private collection.
