CA0501 Rare Pair of Grand Tour Marble Lateran and Flamino obelisks

Rare mid 19th Century Grand Tour pair of Nero Antico black marble models of the Lateran and Flaminio Obelisks in Rome. Incised with hyroglyphs to all four sides and individual front dedications OBELISCVS LATERANENSIS and OBELISCVS FLAMINIVS, but not infilled with the usual gold paint. This beautiful pair are very restained and tasteful. Old repairs to tips. Originally from the Temple of Amun in Karnak, the Lateran Obelisk was transported to Rome in the early 4th century where it was placed in the Circus Maximus before being moved to its current position in the Piazza Giovanni in Latearno. The Flaminio Solarium Augusti Obelisk was bought from Heliopolis and erected by the Emperor Augustus along with the Obelisk of Montecitorio in 10BC and used as a sundial. It can now be seen in the Piazza del Popolo. Mounted on thin Siena marble block bases. 

H 39.5cm x W 9.5cm x D 9.5cm