A PAIR OF ITALIAN WHITE MARBLE FIGURES OF 'DOGS OF ALCIBIADES'
AFTER THE ANTIQUE, 19TH CENTURY
Important information about this lot
Price Realised USD 10,080
Estimate
USD 5,000 - USD 8,000
Estimates do not reflect the final hammer price and do not include buyer's premium, any applicable taxes or artist's resale right. Please see the Conditions of Sale for full details.
Closed: 5 Apr 2022
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A PAIR OF ITALIAN WHITE MARBLE FIGURES OF 'DOGS OF ALCIBIADES'
This pair of hounds is inspired by a single bronze 'Molossian' (ancestor of the mastiff) cast circa 400 BC and acquired by art collector Henry Constantine Jennings during his stay in Rome between 1753 and 1756. The figure was renamed by Jennings himself based on a Plutarch account of the Athenian-born Alcibiades who purchased a large and handsome dog only to have its tail severed. Though the original and the present copies do not lack tails, it was Jennings's hope to associate the figure with the cachet of ancient Greek civilisation. Jennings's original now resides in the British Museum of Art.
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You have agreed to be bound by the Conditions of Sale and if your bid is successful, you are legally obliged to pay for the lot you have won. The purchase price for a successful bid will be the sum of your final bid plus a buyer’s premium, any applicable taxes and any artist resale royalty, exclusive of shipping-related expenses.
Condition report
A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.
The condition of lots can vary widely and the nature of the lots sold means that they are unlikely to be in a perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.
Each example with natural inclusions, scattered inherent cracking, nibbles and small chipped losses to extreme edges.
One example with additional 1 inch support added to base and several areas of composite infill. This example with several scattered restored breaks to the plinth, the largest being across the dog's tail, with subsequent separation. With several restored breaks to its body as well, including to the front paws, hind quarters and back, around his neck and his right ear, and with subesquent infilled restoration.
The other example with some scattered small restorations to plinth, primarily to his left side. Additionally, with restorations to each of his paws and each ear, resulting in a loss to his right ear. This example measures 27 1/4 in. high, 27 in. wide, 14 1/4 in. deep
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Lot 7Sale 20673
AFTER THE ANTIQUE, 19TH CENTURYA PAIR OF ITALIAN WHITE MARBLE FIGURES OF 'DOGS OF ALCIBIADES'Estimate: USD 5,000 - 8,000
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