Source. France, ca. 1710

Source. France, ca. 1710.
Red marble roiale.
Presents some faults.
Measurements: 83 x 90 x 60 cm.

The one we now present is a fountain or tazza of classical inspiration that can well be compared with the "Drawing of the Vatican tazza" published in "Etchings representing the best Examples of Ancient Ornamental Architecture", in C.H. Tatham. Like the one in the Vatican museums, it is a fountain raised on a prismatic plinth with sharp edges, typically neoclassical, from which a turned shaft is embellished with vegetal moldings. On it rests a shallow square bowl, with four satyrs' heads in bas-relief decorating the outer corners (the Vatican's, however, is decorated with swans with spread wings). The interior of the vessel has a sunken hemispherical bowl, centered by a circular motif with rosettes. The upper profile of the vessel is defined by oval medallions. Fountains like the one we are now bidding on were common in the workshop of Benedetto Boschetti (1820-1870), famous for the exceptional quality of his "antique style" marble work.