A quality Pair of C19th Italian ‘Grand Tour’ serpentine marble sculptures of the ‘Alcibiades Hounds’ or ‘Jennings Dogs’ as their latterly known.
In remarkably good condition having never been broken, well carved and good colour.
10” high x 8.5” wide x 5” deep.
Price includes free delivery throughout the uk
 
Modelled after the ancient Hellenistic original, these copies are of the Roman marble C2nd AD version that now sits in the British museum.
Thought to represent the legendary Molossian guard dog or hound, of the Grecian statesman, Alcibiades, it was acquired by Henry Constantine Jennings in Rome c.1756.
It was subsequently sold in 1778 by Jennings to Hon. Charles Duncombe, in order to settle gambling debts. More recently it was bought for the nation from Duncombe Hall in 2001.
A similar pair of marble mastiffs are in the Belvedere Court, Vatican Museums, Rome, Italy.