Grand Tour–Style Marble Horse Head on a Marble Plinth, Italian C. 1900

Details

Description

A carved white marble horse head, probably Italian, provisionally dated to the late nineteenth or early twentieth century, circa 1880–1920. … Read more A carved white marble horse head, probably Italian, provisionally dated to the late nineteenth or early twentieth century, circa 1880–1920. Presented with an arched neck, upright ears, flared nostrils, and an open mouth revealing individually articulated teeth, the sculpture conveys an alert, spirited expression. Prominent gray veining traverses the muzzle and cheek, giving the pale stone a distinctive natural pattern.

The mane is worked in overlapping, deeply channeled locks that sweep backward from the forehead and descend along the neck. Smoothly modeled facial planes contrast with the more emphatic carving of the hair, while the raised contours surrounding the eyes reinforce the animated character of the head. A rectangular dark marble pedestal, streaked with ocher and brown veining and finished with a stepped upper edge, provides a restrained architectural support.

The combination of a classical equestrian subject, carved white marble, and contrasting stone pedestal suggests the Italian decorative sculpture tradition associated with Grand Tour collecting.

Measurements: 12.5" H × 8" W overall; base 3.375" × 4.25". See less