Benedetto Boschetti Obelisk Fragment, Lateran, Rosso Antico Marble, Souvenir From The Grand Tour, 19th Century

Benedetto Boschetti and workshop (active c. 1820–1860)
Fragment of the Lateran Obelisk, Piazza San Giovanni in Rome
Rosso Antico marble
Rome, first half of the 19th century
H. 13.5; 5 cm

Provenance:
Former collection of Antoine Héron de Villefosse (1845–1919), curator at the Louvre (1881–1918), archaeologist, and specialist in Latin epigraphy; passed down through the family; Touraine.

The workshop of Benedetto Boschetti (Rome, c. 1820–1870)
This workshop was one of the most famous and renowned in Rome during the 19th century, located at 74 Via Condotti. A must-visit destination for European high society on their Grand Tour, the workshop specialized in creating works of art modeled after antiquity as well as furniture featuring micro-mosaics. The workshop, honored with a medal at the first World’s Fair in London in 1851, was praised by scholars of that century for the fidelity of its creations.

This workshop produced miniature replicas of ancient masterpieces in the most precious and rare marbles of the time, such as rosso antico and giallo antico, as well as reused ancient materials salvaged from Roman ruins. At that time, it was possible to purchase a miniature replica of the Colosseum, architectural elements from the Forum, and fragments of antiquities—all in various sizes, ranging from an 80-centimeter-tall replica of the Portico of Vespasian to a small souvenir item like our fragment of the Lateran Column. Antoine Héron de Villefosse likely acquired it during his excavations in Italy.

A fragment of the Lateran Obelisk
The Lateran Obelisk is the largest ancient Egyptian obelisk still intact in the world and the tallest in Rome, standing 32.18 meters high (and 45.70 meters including the base and cross) and weighing approximately 455 metric tons

Condition Report
In good overall condition; the piece is mounted on a black-lacquered steel base.