19th Pair Of Neoclassical Bronze Figurines Grand Tour Souvenirs

Pair of bronze statuettes depicting the Venus de Milo and Diana Gabina, France, second half of the 19th century.
The two statuettes, with a medal-like patina, rest on their original pedestals, which bear a label with their names on the bottom. They belong to that genre of souvenirs from the late Grand Tour that still traversed Europe in the second half of the 19th century, touching not only Italy but also France and in particular Paris, where the Louvre Museum was overrun by wealthy English and American tourists. Both sculptures, in fact, were exhibited at the Louvre Museum starting in 1820, although they came from two different places: the Venus de Milo, discovered in Greece, was purchased directly by France, while the Diana of Gabii, owned by the Roman Borghese family, was sold to Napoleon in 1807. In the years that followed, the two new acquisitions became the museum’s crown jewels, and small-scale reproductions in bronze, marble, and alabaster spread rapidly. The distinctive feature of these two small bronzes, aside from their unusual size, is that they are mounted on a base, making them two magnificent collector’s items.
In excellent condition.

Dimensions
Height: 19 cm
Base: 4.5 x 4.5 cm

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