Superb Example of French Ormolu & Bronze Cast Heavy Duty Model of the Warwick Albani Vase, circa 1860. Mounted on a heavy square dark grey stepped marble base. 

After the Antique, the vase on waisted reeded socle, cast with classical heads and reeded entwined twin handles, raised on a heavy circular black veined marble base. Back and front views are alike.  

Condition: Superb untouched condition with no losses or dents, signs of light rust to bronze inside, see image, marble base is good, nice surface patination to bronze. Missing its inside liner, to replace a circular ormolu plate has been secured to base which looks very nice, see images. This piece is quite heavy.  

Height: 8.75" (22.25cm). Width: (at widest including handles) 13.5" (34cm). Diameter Marble base: 5.75" (14.5cm). 

Shipped to Menai, Sydney, Australia. 

Affordable fixed charge Worldwide Store to door shipping.  

The Warwick Vase was found in fragments by Gavin Hamilton in 1769–1770 digging in the silts of Lake Pantanello in the grounds of the Villa Tiburtina, the villa of the Roman Emperor Hadrian outside Rome. It was restored in 1772–1774 by Grandjacquet to designs by Piranesi for Sir William Hamilton, who gave it to George Greville, Earl of Warwick. The Vase stood in the courtyard of Warwick Castle for almost two centuries until it was purchased for The Burrell Collection in 1979. A monumental marble sculpture in the form of a two-handled drinking cup, it is decorated with acting masks and motifs relating to the cult of the Roman god of wine, Bacchus (the Greek god Dionysos).  

The Vase was one of many fine sculptures with which Hadrian (who ruled the Roman Empire from 117 to 138) adorned the gardens of his palatial villa. The Dionysian imagery of many of these sculptures evoked the pleasures of life enjoyed through good wine and feasting. Since its rediscovery the Warwick Vase has been a major source of inspiration for the Neo-Classical school in the decorative arts in Britain.