Decorative Vase

This vase is made from an archaeological marble, perhaps part of an Egyptian-style capital decorated with water-leaves, finished at a later period with the addition of a lower border and an egg motif. The base, lid and side handles in the shape of ram's heads were added in the modern period. This antiquarian composition in Piranesian style reflects the 18th-century fasghion for using ancient vases and urns as decorations in gardens and interiors. Medium-grained crystalline marble for the body; Carrara marble for the restorations. From the Boncompagni Ludovisi Collection.