Items Similar to Monumental Uffizi Boar or Il Porcellino by Austin and Seeley
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 5
Monumental Uffizi Boar or Il Porcellino by Austin and Seeley
About the Item
A mid-19th century model of the Uffizi Boar, called 'Il Porcellino', by Austin & Seeley, the seated figure of the boar on an integral square plinth.
This cast stone model of the Uffizi Boar takes its name from a 17th-century bronze fountain by sculptor Pietro Tacca, made for Cosimo II de' Medici and originally placed in the Loggia at the Mercato Nuovo in Florence. This civic space was also known as the Loggia del Porcellino, named after the boar as rubbing the statue's nose is said to bring great wealth. Made in the 1630s, it was modelled after an earlier marble version (Italian, 2nd-1st century BC) discovered in Rome in 1556 on the slopes of the Esquiline Hill, itself thought to be based on a lost Greek Hellenistic bronze version. After restoration, the marble statue was brought to Florence in 1568 as a gift from Pope Pius IV to Duke Cosimo I de’ Medici, initially placed in the Pitti Palace. Both this marble and the 17th-century bronze versions are now housed in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. It remained an immensely popular subject for Grand Tourists, who collected their own versions. It is a testament to the commercial prowess of Austin and Seeley to produce such an iconic model for their wealthiest clients.
Notes:
A design for a model of the Uffizi Boar is illustrated in Austin and Seeley's catalogue the 'Specimen Book of Austin & Seeley's Artificial Stone Manufactory, London', 1844, p. 9. Austin & Seeley were known as suppliers of fine garden statuary to the largest country houses in England and similar stone examples can be found at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, Castle Howard in Yorkshire, and Chatsworth House in Derbyshire. Felix Austin entered into business making artificial stone in 1828, having purchased moulds from a firm that had gone out of business. He established his works in New Road, London, describing himself variously as an architect, statuary mason and sculptor as well as artificial stone maker. His material was not the same as the ceramic body used by Mrs. Coade, but made from Portland cement, broken stone, pounded marble and course sand (The Builder, 1868). However, like Mrs. Coade, he encouraged leading architects and designers to work for him. Around 1840 he entered into partnership with John Seeley; Seeley had trained at the Royal Academy Schools and also made an artificial stone, which he called 'artificial limestone'. In 1841 they published their first catalogue Collection of Ornaments at Austin & Seeley's Artificial Stone Works for Gardens, Parks and Pleasure Grounds, etc. from their address in New Road. The preface to this catalogue begins 'Austin's Artificial Stone is of a light tone, requires no painting or colouring, will not sustain injury from the severest winter, and, being impervious to wet, is particularly applicable to all kinds of water-works. Its superiority is now so thoroughly established, that the most eminent Architects and scientific Gentlemen have expressed, in the highest terms, their approbation of its durability, and close resemblance to real stone.'
- Attributed to:Austin & Seeley (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 55.91 in (142 cm)Width: 43.31 in (110 cm)Depth: 70.87 in (180 cm)
- Style:Grand Tour (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:c.1844
- Condition:Repaired. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:
About the Seller
No Reviews Yet
Vetted Seller
These experienced sellers undergo a comprehensive evaluation by our team of in-house experts.
Established in 1989
1stDibs seller since 2015
45 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 12 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Large Italian Statue of a Sleeping NymphLocated in London, GBA large Italian school carrara marble sculpture depicting a sleeping nymph. The finely carved sculpture is reminiscent of a depiction of Sleeping Ariadne, popularised by the Roman copy of the Hellenistic original, the former being housed at the Vatican. Reclining on rocks, the sleeping nymph is shown draped only below the waist, and her finely modelled form is exemplified by the delicacy of her fingers. Italian, early 19th century. Before restoration.Category
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Rococo Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsStatuary Marble
- Pair of 19th Century Italian Alabaster Classical Figures of MusesLocated in London, GBA pair of very finely carved 19th century alabaster figures of muses, in classical dress, each standing on circular pedestals intricately carved with flowers and beading, Italian, c....Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsAlabaster
- Pair of Ming Dynasty Horsemen Roof TilesLocated in London, GBA pair of Chinese Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) sancai-glazed ridge tiles modelled as horse and rider. Both tiles are glazed in rich green and amber, the horses ...Category
Antique 16th Century Chinese Ming Ceramics
MaterialsPottery
- Scagliola Figure of Psyche Abandoned Attributed to Pietro TeneraniLocated in London, GBA rare Italian sculpture depicting Psyche, attributed to the Italian sculptor, Pietro Tenerani. Pietro Tenerani (1798-1869) was a sculptor perhaps best known for his neoclassical ...Category
Antique 1810s Italian Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPlaster, Scagliola
- Near Life Size Marble Crouching VenusLocated in London, GBA near life size carved marble figure of the Crouching Venus. This late 19th century copy of the iconic Hellenistic original bases its form on the crouching Venus on permanent displa...Category
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsStatuary Marble
- A fine and large giltwood Italian console or game table/ Table à GibierLocated in London, GBA fine and large giltwood Italian console or game table. The substantial rouge royale marble top is supported by a fluted frieze on a serpentine frame, centred by a scallop shell on ...Category
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Console Tables
MaterialsGiltwood
You May Also Like
- Large Grand Tour Sculpture Bronze Greco-Roman Uffizi Wrestlers BarbedienneBy Ferdinand BarbedienneLocated in Rochester, NYGrand Tour circa 1860s bronze of the Wrestlers. Rich fine dark brown patina. Marked "F. Barbedienne Fondeur." The Wrestlers also known as The Two Wrestlers, The Uffizi Wrestlers or The Pancrastinae...Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsBronze
- Large Grand Tour Sculpture Bronze Greco-Roman Uffizi Wrestlers BarbedienneBy F. Barbedienne FoundryLocated in Rochester, NYGrand tour circa 1860s bronze of the Wrestlers. Rich fine dark brown patina. Marked "F. Barbedienne Fondeur." The Wrestlers also known as The Two Wrestlers, The Uffizi Wrestlers...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Grand Tour Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsMetal, Bronze
- Mid-Century Modern Italian White Glazed Terracotta Boar Statue or SculptureBy Raymor, BitossiLocated in St. Louis, MOMid-Century Modern Italian white glazed terracotta wild boar statue in the style Aldo Londi Bitossi for Raymor. Statue is free of repairs, signed with arti...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
MaterialsTerracotta
- Antique Wild boar TrophiesLocated in Denton, TXNice pair of wild boar Trophy mounted on gilt washed brass as Trophies, very ornate with a crown at the top of each mount. Very good condition and ready for display.Category
Antique Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Animal Sculptures
MaterialsMetal
- Monumental skyhook Sculpture by Peter Shire, late 1980s. Indoors or OutdoorsBy Peter ShireLocated in Kansas City, MOLarge, over 8 feet tall and 5 feet wide, sculpture by artist Peter Shire. One of the original designers/artists in the Memphis Milan Group started by Ettore Sottsass, this is from S...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsSteel, Stainless Steel
- Abstract Modern Musician Sculpture by Austin ProductionsBy Austin Productions, (after) Pablo PicassoLocated in Chicago, ILAbstract Modern Musician Sculpture by Austin Productions. Sculpture has a hairline damage weak spot. Needs to be handled carefully as it flexes sl...Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsPlaster
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Illy Collection
Used Furniture In Austin
Antique Boar
Grand Tour Collection
Antique Bronze Fountain
Antique Bronze Fountains
Medici Sculpture
Room And Boars
Address Book
Sculpture Pope
Scientific Objects
Monumental Bronze Statue
Portland Stone
Grand Tour Stone
Antique Furniture Yorkshire
Monumental Statue
Book Sculpture Italian
Monumental Garden Sculptures