Early 19th century Italian school
Pair of red marble columns after the Trajan and Marcus Aurelius columns, surmounted by two bronze figures of Saints Peter and Paul
H. 87.5 cm on square black marble bases
Damage and restoration
The Trajan and Marcus Aurelius columns are Roman triumphal columns located in the Forum of Trajan and Piazza Colonna in Rome. They stand 40 m and 30 m high respectively. They commemorate the victories of Emperor Trajan over the Dacians during the two Dacian Wars (101-102 and 105-106) and of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (161-180) over the Germans and Sarmatians. These miniature columns feature the famous relief-carved scenes spiraling around the shaft. At their summits, they feature the figures of Saints Peter and Paul, installed during their restoration in the 15th century by Pope Sixtus V. These types of objects enjoyed great success in the 19th century, executed to satisfy the desires of wealthy European Grand Tour enthusiasts for antiques and other souvenirs of the Eternal City.
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