"Important Alabaster Vase In The Medici Style, Rome, Circa 1800"
Crater-shaped vase with volute-shaped side handles on a stepped base. Curved foot with a flared, ribbed base. A mask of Bacchus is depicted on the visible part. The rim is flared and decorated with round studs. Italian sculptors achieved virtuoso perfection in alabaster, as evidenced by the numerous pieces displayed in major Italian museums. Few large, complex objects have survived undamaged, as alabaster is a very fragile material. Central Italy/Rome, circa 1800-20. High-definition photos available.