Pair of Ornate Obelisks with Cameos in Plaster in the Antique Style, Late 18th Century

Pair of obelisks adorned with plaster cameos. Italian work, late 18th century. The cameos depict ancient scenes in Greek and Neoclassical style. The interest in forms and ornamentation of Neoclassical style, which was very fashionable under Louis XVI, the Directory, and the Empire, favoured the creation and dissemination of artworks influenced by Greco-Roman culture. The enthusiasm for moulds of engraved gems (moulded on cameos or intaglios) corresponds to the time of the "Grand Tour." During their travels in Italy, passionate collectors and artists brought back boxes of moulded miniatures as typical souvenirs or as study subjects to inspire themes from antiquity. An intaglio is a hard and fine stone engraved in relief, often set in a ring to serve as a seal or stamp. The most commonly used stones for intaglios are carnelian, chalcedony, agate, jasper, and rock crystal. The cameo, on the other hand, is a stone carved in relief. Both intaglios and cameos feature classical figurative motifs. These finely executed moulds depict Greek and Roman deities, architectural details, or mythological figures. These cameos have been mounted on obelisks made of cardboard covered with blue and white papers reminiscent of 18th-century English Wedgwood porcelain, which itself was inspired by ancient cameos. Furthermore, these objects are a testament to the fascination with the East and antiquity that emerged at the end of the 18th century. Mounted on paper obelisks around 1900. Dimensions: 42 X 13 X 13 cm. Customs duties are included in the price for international shipping.