CA0223 Rare pairing of Grand Tour Busts of Demosthene and Socrates

Rare pair of early 19th century Italian Grand Tour patinated bronzes of two of antiquities' greatest figures: the Athenian statesman and father of western democracy Demosthene and the titan of Greek philosophy Socrates, perhaps the most famous figure of Western philosophical tradition. Finely cast examples on sienna marble column bases. Excellent condition. This style of bust of Demosthene was described throughout the 19th century as the famous Greek statesman and orator though now is believed to be of Lysimachus the Macedonian General and successor to Alexander the Great as King of Thrace and Asia Minor. After the antique 2nd-century A.D. marble version of a Hellenistic original on permanent display in the Farnese Collection in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples. The bust of Socrates is very probably based on the portrait bust in the Capitoline Museum in Rome. Fine quality pair and a rare Grand Tour coupling. Italy, circa 1830.

H 30/28cm x W 10.5cm x D 10.5cm