Rare Pair of Grand Tour Figures of Cronos and Phanes

Very rare, early 19th Century Italian Grand Tour patinated bronze pairing of Cronos and Phanes. Cronos was the Greek personification of Time. Phanes often equated with Eros, hatched from the world egg of Cronos. Phanes was both a male and female god of light and goodness. Phanes name literally means 'to shine' or 'to bring light'. The beautifully modelled winged figure of Cronos holds a scythe and the serpent that entwines the egg. Phanes is depicted with a bow and a torch to bring forth light. Both standing on a dome representing the world egg. Beautifully patinated with areas of verdigris and mounted on a Siena marble block base. Italian, circa 1820.

H 18cm x W 19cm x D 6.5cm

SOLD