A 19th century Italian carved white marble pedestal of triangular form, closely modeled after ancient Roman candelabrum bases. Three boldly carved ram’s heads project from beneath the molded top above a continuous palmette frieze, while the tapering sides are carved in relief with winged figures among scrolling foliage and rosettes. The spreading base terminates at each corner in a carved sphinx and is raised on three ball feet with additional support on the underside. In good antique condition with evidence of old repair and weathering to the surface. Two rams are in better condition than the third. A chip to a corner of the top. An RT Facts find.
The design closely follows a celebrated type of Roman marble candelabrum base, examples of which survive from antiquity, including one excavated at Hadrian’s Villa and now in the British Museum. The ancient prototype similarly combines a triangular form with ram’s heads at the upper corners, winged genii on the three faces, sphinxes at the base and bands of foliate ornament. Such classical forms were widely recorded and disseminated through antiquarian publications and the work of designers including Giovanni Battista Piranesi during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Formerly in the collection of Henry E. Huntington, acquired from William Baumgarten & Co. for his San Marino estate in California, now The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens.
Dimensions: 32.5"H x 18.5"D
Provenance: Henry E. Huntington, San Marino, California, acquired from William Baumgarten & Co.
The British Museum Source
