Art Union of London. A fine bronze vase after C. Delpech

Sold for £600

Art Union of London. A fine Victorian bronze model of the 'Townley Vase' after C. Delpech for the Art Union of London, 1871, the substantial vase with volute handles and decorated with a Bacchichanlian procession in high relief, the base signed Art Union of London 1871, C. Delpech Redt, 39cm high, placed on an associated wooden stand for display

(Qty: 1)

The Townley Vase is a large Roman marble vase of the 2nd century BC, discovered in 1773 by the Scottish antiquarian and dealer in antiquities Gavin Hamilton in excavating a Roman villa at Monte Cagnolo, Rome. The name was given to the vase by Charles Townley who subsequently purchased it in 1774 for £250. The British Museum purchased the vase in 1805 where it remains today.

The Art Union of London was founded in 1837 to promote the interest in British artists and manufacturer of decorative arts. In 1871 a bronze copy of the vase was made by Delpech and copies were produced and given to ten members of the Art Union of London.