TWO GIALLO ANTICO MODELS OF THE TEMPLES OF VESPASIAN AND CASTOR AND POLLUX ROME, 19TH CENTURY Of conventional form, set on varying variegated black marble plinths 49cm high, 15cm wide and 50cm high, 24.5cm wide and respectivelyProvenance: Property from the Kingshott CollectionMarble renditions of Roman monuments were popular souvenirs for Grand Tourists visiting the Eternal City during the later 18th and 19th centuries, and both temples represented by the present models were much-visited stops at the Forum Romanum. The Temple of Castor and Pollux, or Tempio dei Dioscuri, was erected in 495 century BC to commemorate the victory in the Battle of Lake Regillus. The temple was dedicated to Castor and Pollux, the twin sons of Zeus and Leda, as legend had it they fought on the side of the Romans during this battle. The iconic columns however are from a much later date, as the temple was rebuilt after a fire and dedicated by Emperor Tiberius in 6 AD. The Temple of Vespasian was built by the late Emperor's son Titus several decades later, in 79 AD.Both temples sustained significant damage including during the middle ages, and their ruinous nature likely appealed to the romantic imagination of foreign tourists. For a similar larger pair, executed in Marmo Giallo, please see Dreweatts The Collection of Sir William Whitfield CBE, 10th March 2020, lot 53 sold £21,000.

Slight colour variance and choice of differing marble plinth bases suggestive that this is a matched pair.With characteristic veining which makes identifying cracks difficult- and in some cases may have been utilised to suggest antiquity and wear of ages. Both with some edge rubbing wear and minor loss.Vespasian- small old repairs to moulding at bases of each column,Castor & Pollux- Overall slightly 'wobbly' old glue remedial work visible to joins and to surfaces- old losses to bases of exh column moulding- slightly loose on its base and may require remedial work to stablise and make good