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Base of a Roman candelabrum or tripod
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Marble SM M559. ©A.C. Cooper (colour) Ltd
Base of a Roman candelabrum or tripod
Marble, probably Greek marble
Height: 31cm
Width: 33cm
Width: 33cm
Museum number: M559
On display: Museum South Passage
All spaces are in No. 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields unless identified as in No. 12, Soane's first house.
For tours https://www.soane.org/your-visit
Curatorial note
The relief carvings of the three concave surfaces of this base comprise: reversed dolphins with tails entwined about vertical trident; and two Tritons set approaching each other on adjoining panels. They blow long shells carried in their cut off hands and hold paddles or rudders on their near shoulders with the others.
A semi-finished triangular central section, set in and 5 cm up from the finished top surface, indicates that the upper elements or next section fitted over this raised area and was held by it1.
1For the various interpretations of the Triton in decorative and especially Roman funerary relief, see F. Cumont, Recherches sur le Symbolisme Funeraire des Romains, Paris, 1942, pp. 147ff. and 167ff.
A semi-finished triangular central section, set in and 5 cm up from the finished top surface, indicates that the upper elements or next section fitted over this raised area and was held by it1.
1For the various interpretations of the Triton in decorative and especially Roman funerary relief, see F. Cumont, Recherches sur le Symbolisme Funeraire des Romains, Paris, 1942, pp. 147ff. and 167ff.
Unknown.
Associated items
M563, another similar
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