Italian Mythological Marble Plaques

This impressive pair of 19th-century carved marble wall hangings tell two stories from Greek mythology - the myth of Perseus and Andromeda and the myth of Endymion. Masterfully carved from white marble in low to high relief and modeled after two large 2nd century CE reliefs that reside in the Capitoline Museum in Rome, these panels are executed with striking accuracy.

According to the ancient legend, as Perseus was returning home after his victory over Medusa, he discovered the beautiful Andromeda chained to the rocks and being offered up as a sacrifice to a horrible sea monster. Before it could devour her, Perseus slayed the beast and saved Andromeda. The first carved relief captures the moment following this struggle. Andromeda’s robes are drenched in water, and the monster lies dead at Perseus’s feet.

In the second panel, the mortal Endymion is shown in his state of perpetual slumber. The goddess of the moon, Selene, thought Endymion to be so handsome that she asked Zeus to grant him eternal youth. Zeus did this by putting the young man into an endless sleep in a cave where Selene would visit him every night.

Together, the plaques are exceptional representations of two of the most important surviving pieces from antiquity. The 18th and 19th centuries marked a revival of interest in classical art and architecture. Affluent Grand Tourists could have seen the original Roman reliefs these are based on, among other classical artifacts, while traveling through Italy. Demand for souvenirs from their journey was high, and artists were inspired to create copies of classical objects like these reliefs. With careful modeling of the human form and a nuanced treatment of drapery, these panels honor the originals and are incredible works of sculpture in their own right.

Circa 1800

Each panel: 22" high x 16" wide
Framed: 30" high x 24" wide