意大利古董蛇紋石鑲銅鎏金寬口甕一對，隨著名的華威雙耳甕及迪·蘭忒雙耳甕的古羅馬式樣

the moulded shallow baluster body applied with gilt-bronze mounts in the form of satyr and bacchic heads, beneath a collar of gilt-bronze beads, the moulded rim with a simlar larger collar, the interior of both with a gilt-bronze medallion, raised on a spreading turned socle ornamented with conforming bead collars, on a stepped and on moulded square plinth, with similar gilt-bronze ornament

Comparative Literature

Norman Mosley Penzer, “The Warwick Vase”, Part. I, Apollo, n° 62, 1955, p. 183-188 ; Part. II et III, Apollo, n° 63, 1956, p. 18 et 22 et p. 71-75.

Alvar González-Palacios, “Ristudiando I Righetti”, Il gusto dei Principi, vol. I, Milan, 1993, p. 303.

 Griseri et Roberto Valeriani, Bronzi Decorativi in Italia, Bronzisti e fonditori italiani dal Seicento all’Ottocento, Milan, 2001, p. 238, cat. n° 67. and pl.330-336.

In overall good conserved condition. A very rare marble and rare to have a pair of different design. A strong model with superb quality casting and chasing of the gilt-bronze mounts. All the mounts are present. Very minor tarnishing to gilt-bronze which one could give a light clean according to taste but we would not recommend it due to the possible loss of the original patina of the vases. Scattered areas of restorations to the marble around the bodies, horns and base which have been well executed. The pin on the top of the boss mount inside both vases is now missing but can be left or easily replaced. There are also some scattered minor chips.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

此組沃維克及迪‧蘭忒甕採用珍罕的古董大理石──龐德拉利亞蛇紋岩（pietra nefritica o ponderaria）製成，品質超卓不凡，與米蘭斯特拉札與托馬斯商行（1815-1881）以古董素材巧製之銅器、鑲銅大理石甕等精工傑作相可比擬。甕上以希臘神話酒神巴克斯、醉酒人物以及各式戲劇性人面雕像並置裝飾。這些裝飾一一令人聯想起酒神節慶，而甕上各擁兩個精雕細琢的手柄，以酒神專屬的植物希臘阿魏草與茴香雕刻貫穿其中。

本作相信是以兩個於十八世紀後期發掘的古甕為藍本，由加文‧漢密頓（Gavin Hamilton）（1723-1798）於哈德良皇帝別墅遺址附近尋獲，其為著名蘇格蘭畫家兼羅馬認可的古董商，故獲批准在遺址挖掘勘探。其中一甕以名為沃維克甕而廣為人知，全因其由沃維克伯爵二世（2^nd Earl of Warwick ）喬治·格雷維（George Greville）（1746-1816）所購，並將甕帶到當時正在重修的沃維克城堡。另一古甕則在多年來一直收藏於羅馬蘭丁別墅（Villa Lanti），後來由考多伯爵（Earl of Cawdor）購得。他於1800年在牛津街拍賣中以700個金幣售出該甕，由貝德福公爵（Duke of Bedford）弗朗西斯奪得，移送至其宅邸貝德福郡（Bedfordshire）烏邦寺莊園（Woburn Abbey），並一直保留至今。

是次呈獻之兩甕得以哄動一時，源自喬瓦尼‧巴蒂斯塔‧皮拉里西（Giovanni Battista Piranesi）於1778年所製的沃維克甕引起廣泛迴響，多個馳名的複製作品更相繼誕生，當中包括拿破侖一世於1808年為其維利爾城堡訂製的一對沃維克甕，盡顯氣派；另一典範則可見於那不勒斯卡波迪蒙蒂國家博物館（Capodimonte Museum）。而銀甕作品之例由知名銀匠保羅‧施托（Paul Storr）所製，為英女皇伊麗莎伯二世御藏。