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Dreams Less Sweet Antiques
Tel07776985514Please quote Antiques Atlas.
19th Century Serpentine Bust of Michelangelo
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20th century Italian marble sculpture
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Non UK callers :
+44 7776985514
19th Century Italian Carrara Marble Bust of a Faun
A late 19th Century Italian carved marble bust, after the 'Albani Faun' classical Roman sculpture.
High quality bust in Carrara marble with socle base in dark grey & red veined marble.
Very impressive and theatrical decorative sculpture.
Provenance: French Art Market
H: 64cm / W: 38cm / 20cm.
The 'Albani Faun', also sometimes referred to as the 'Laughing Faun', is a Roman marble dating to circa 100 BC, which resides today in the Munich Glyptothek. The work was previously part of the prestigious collection of antiquities at the Villa Albani in Rome. The Villa Albani, known today as the Villa Albani Torlonia, was built in the mid-18th century for Cardinal Alessandro Albani (1692-1779), nephew of Pope Clement XI (1649-1721), to house his collection of antiquities, curated by 'the father of art history' J.J. Winckelmann (1717-1768). As soon as the villa was completed in 1763, Cardinal Albani welcomed cultivated visitors to admire the collection, which immediately became a highlight for British aristocrats on the Grand Tour. The Albani Faun was reproduced by 19th Century sculptors and such marble busts were extremely popular amongst Grand Tourists visiting Italy.
In 1797, following the invasion of the Papal States, the faun is believed to have been part of the haul of Roman antiquities taken from Rome to Paris by Napoleon's army. Following Napoleon's final defeat at Waterloo in 1815, the famed sculptor Antonio Canova (1757-1822), was dispatched to Paris by Pope Pius VII (1742-1823) with the task of negotiating the repatriation of the stolen artwork. Canova was successful and much of the booty was returned to its original owners, however some treasures remained in Paris because the costs of transporting them home were too high. One such work was the Albani Faun, which was never returned to the Albani family, and was subsequently sold in Paris to Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria (1786-1868), with whom it travelled to Munich, where it remains to this day.
The present marble bust, an Italian antique reproduction after the classical original, depicts the young Faun with his head turned slightly to the left and looking down, with a bare chest and shoulders. The iconic faun, a sylvan demigod from Classical mythology, can be recognised by his goat's horns and grin.
Would ship to mainland UK with van courier: £70 South East England / £100 England, Wales & South Scotland (more for Northern Ireland & Scottish Highlands).
Also van courier possible to Central Europe - est £300 (message for quote).
Shipping to Europe, USA and Rest of World possible boxed or crated - message for quote.
SellerDreams Less Sweet Antiques
View all stock from
Dreams Less Sweet Antiques
Private dealer, online only
Near Woolwich
London
England, UK
SE18
Tel : 07776985514
Non UK callers : +44 7776985514
Get directions to Dreams Less Sweet Antiques
High quality bust in Carrara marble with socle base in dark grey & red veined marble.
Very impressive and theatrical decorative sculpture.
Provenance: French Art Market
H: 64cm / W: 38cm / 20cm.
The 'Albani Faun', also sometimes referred to as the 'Laughing Faun', is a Roman marble dating to circa 100 BC, which resides today in the Munich Glyptothek. The work was previously part of the prestigious collection of antiquities at the Villa Albani in Rome. The Villa Albani, known today as the Villa Albani Torlonia, was built in the mid-18th century for Cardinal Alessandro Albani (1692-1779), nephew of Pope Clement XI (1649-1721), to house his collection of antiquities, curated by 'the father of art history' J.J. Winckelmann (1717-1768). As soon as the villa was completed in 1763, Cardinal Albani welcomed cultivated visitors to admire the collection, which immediately became a highlight for British aristocrats on the Grand Tour. The Albani Faun was reproduced by 19th Century sculptors and such marble busts were extremely popular amongst Grand Tourists visiting Italy.
In 1797, following the invasion of the Papal States, the faun is believed to have been part of the haul of Roman antiquities taken from Rome to Paris by Napoleon's army. Following Napoleon's final defeat at Waterloo in 1815, the famed sculptor Antonio Canova (1757-1822), was dispatched to Paris by Pope Pius VII (1742-1823) with the task of negotiating the repatriation of the stolen artwork. Canova was successful and much of the booty was returned to its original owners, however some treasures remained in Paris because the costs of transporting them home were too high. One such work was the Albani Faun, which was never returned to the Albani family, and was subsequently sold in Paris to Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria (1786-1868), with whom it travelled to Munich, where it remains to this day.
The present marble bust, an Italian antique reproduction after the classical original, depicts the young Faun with his head turned slightly to the left and looking down, with a bare chest and shoulders. The iconic faun, a sylvan demigod from Classical mythology, can be recognised by his goat's horns and grin.
Would ship to mainland UK with van courier: £70 South East England / £100 England, Wales & South Scotland (more for Northern Ireland & Scottish Highlands).
Also van courier possible to Central Europe - est £300 (message for quote).
Shipping to Europe, USA and Rest of World possible boxed or crated - message for quote.
Price
Click here to message the seller The price has been listed in British Pounds.
Conversion rates as of 16/APR/2026. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer. Plus shipping - see options for UK & Europe and message for quote for Rest of Wo
Category Busts and Figures
Date 1890 - 1999
Late 19th Century Antiques Material Carara Marble
Origin Italian
Item code as1225a066
Status For Sale
£4975.00 
$6727.20
€5714.78
$6727.20
€5714.78
Looking to Buy?
Arrange a final price and delivery details directly with the dealerClick here to message the seller
Conversion rates as of 16/APR/2026. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer. Plus shipping - see options for UK & Europe and message for quote for Rest of Wo
Shipping information
Free collection from London SE18 is possible by appointment.
Small to medium items boxed and sent by fedex to UK, EU and Worldwide.
Recommend van courier for very large items to UK and EU.
Large items can also be sent crated.
Message for a quote.
All items sent insured.
Small to medium items boxed and sent by fedex to UK, EU and Worldwide.
Recommend van courier for very large items to UK and EU.
Large items can also be sent crated.
Message for a quote.
All items sent insured.
View all stock from
Dreams Less Sweet Antiques
Private dealer, online onlyNear Woolwich
London
England, UK
SE18
Tel : 07776985514
Non UK callers : +44 7776985514
Get directions to Dreams Less Sweet Antiques
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