A Continental sample marble and gilt metal mounted obelisk, late 19th century

A Continental sample marble and gilt metal mounted obelisk, late 19th century, in the manner of Grand Tour souvenirs, the tapered body comprising sections of white, serpentine, rouge and Siena marble, with pineapple finial, 71cm high overall, the base 20cm square

This lot is to be sold without reserve

Condition Report:
The marble bears the usual minor marks, knocks, scuffs and abrasions overall consistent with age, including some darker patination to the white marble elements. The corners to the top are chipped, including a 1cm chip to the rear left corner. There is also a chip to one corner of the Siena section of the upper base. The lower Siena portion has one restored damage to the corner (circa 1-2cm diagonal), and one white marble corner below this restoration also appears to have been repaired, showing a hairline crack. All repairs appear stable and do not appear to be recent. There is some gesso or plaster to the bottom portion of the shaft, which may be due to manufacture. The pineapple is a separately cast element which lifts away, its gilding is a little scuffed in places.