Antique English Stone Urn Finials, 1740

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This charming pair of George II garden urns are a rare surviving example of the English landscape tradition, in beautiful original condition, hand carved in limestone. Each urn features a circular overhanging rim carved with rosettes, from which drape elegant decorative swags. The bases of the urns are supported by a fluted scalloped design which sits on a circular spreading foot, and supported by a solid square base. Dated from 1740, they belong to the Georgian period of English architecture and design. Ornamental urns became a mainstay of Georgian landscape design and adorned gardens of manor houses across the country, and into Europe and America. Stylistically consistent with the architecture and landscape design of their period, these urns draw from classical antiquity. The swags which drape from the rosettes that decorate the body of both urns can be found in the bucranium of the Doric order frieze from classical antiquity. The scalloped fluted design which forms the base of the urn evokes the shell motif, and the fluting is also reminiscent of the Doric order of classical architecture. These urns belong to a rich period of design, architecture, and art history, from classical antiquity and its renaissance in modern Palladianism to the revolution of landscape and garden design in Georgian Britain. Both fascinating in their history as well as beautiful in their execution. No repairs or restoration work done. These urns once belonged to the Seago Collection which went at auction at Christie’s London in 1999. Imported from London, England. To read more about the Georgian landscapes and gardens, please visit our blog.
$14,250

Additional Information


Product Code: AQE-URN-GRG

  • Diameter:

    22"

  • Height:

    33"

  • Width of base:

    17"