Object Description
An Italian Grand Tour rosso antico red marble model of Trajan’s Column, circa 1840.
Once a Grand Tour souvenir acquired by an adventurer exploring Europe, this decorative model column is a scale depiction of the 38m (125ft) tall Carrara marble obelisk in Trajan’s Forum, Rome, built in 113 AD to commemorate the Roman Emperor Trajan’s victory in the Dacian Wars.
This scale tabletop depiction of the ancient Roman column is made from a ruby red shade of marble known as ‘rosso antico’, carved with details to match the original. This includes a continuous spiralling frieze depicting figures and scenes – in which the original captures Emperor Trajan himself 58 times – and an abbreviated inscription to the base written in capitalis monumentalis (Roman square capitals).
While the figure to the top depicts St. Peter, the patinated bronze figure on this model obelisk is not original but a suitable replacement, completing the overall look.
Steeped in the history of ancient Rome, this antique architectural model of Trajan’s column is a striking ornament for a bookshelf, side table or desk, certain to draw the eye in any setting.