SKU: 40323298057

EARLY 19th CENTURY GRAND TOUR BRONZES OF CREUGAS & DAMOXENOS (THE PUGULISTS) AFTER CANOVA

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Description

EARLY 19th CENTURY GRAND TOUR BRONZES OF CREUGAS & DAMOXENOS (THE PUGULISTS) AFTER CANOVAA superb pair of early 19th century 'Grand Tour' souvenir bronze figures of the Greek boxers Creugas & Damoxenos, modeled after the marble originals by the Italian sculptor and architect Antonio Canova (1757 1822). Canova loved classical subjects and is revered as the master of neoclassic sculpture executed with a contemporary flair. Having studied the works of Pausanias (110 180), a Greek geographer who recorded observations from his travels in ten

A superb pair of early 19th century 'Grand Tour' souvenir bronze figures of the Greek boxers Creugas & Damoxenos, modeled after the marble originals by the Italian sculptor and architect Antonio Canova (1757-1822). Canova loved classical subjects and is revered as the master of neoclassic sculpture executed with a contemporary flair. Having studied the works of Pausanias (110- 180), a Greek geographer who recorded observations from his travels in ten books called the 'Periegesis of Greece.' Canova was taken with one story in particular that chronicled the legendary fight between Creugas of Durres and the treacherous Damoxenos of Syracuse. The two athletes met at the Nemean Games and faced off in an epic competition. The powerful men battled for hours and neither could get the advantage over the other. After several hours of boxing without a winner, Creugas and Damoxenos decided to settle the competition by each man delivering one undefended blow to the other. In Greek boxing, fighters focused on punching the head. Going first, Creugas struck Damoxenos a strong blow to the head but did not finish him. Then, Damoxenos, who had opted to go second, thrust his extended fingers directly into Creugas' side, through his ribcage, and disemboweled his opponent. As a result, the judges disqualified Damoxenos for killing Creugas, and Creugas was declared the winner— posthumously.

Canova chose to portray Creugas with his arm raised, in preparation for the blow, and Damoxenos prepared to lunge forward with his knife-like hand. These two wonderful and powerful statues created by Antonio Canova, are featured alongside the statue of Perseus Triumphant (1800–1801) in one of the most important locations of the Vatican Museums: the Octagonal Courtyard. The most significant sculptures of the Vatican's collection are on display for the public here every day. Historically, the Octagonal Courtyard was the first place chosen by Pope Julius II to host his collection of Classical Antiquities, many of which were subsequently pillaged by the French in 1798.

ANTONIO CANOVA (1757–1822) was the leading Italian Neoclassical sculptor of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, known for his ability to carve exquisite figurative sculptures in marble with such refinement that they appear as supple as real flesh. Along with painter Jacques-Louis David, Canova defined the ordered and rational aesthetic of the Age of Enlightenment. Inspired by the classical, Renaissance, and Baroque sculptures he saw on his Grand Tour of Italy in 1779–80, he sculpted religious and mythological subjects, such as The Three Graces (1814–17), as well as portraits and funerary monuments. The most sought-after sculptor of his day, he received commissions from wealthy patrons, popes, and political leaders throughout Europe and beyond. Canova's bust of Napoleon Bonaparte became one of the most reproduced images of the emperor, while his statue 'Perseus Triumphant' (1800–1801) was the first contemporary work to enter the Vatican Museum when Pope Pius VII acquired it in 1801.

Being a keen student of classical subjects, Canova set out in 1795 to immortalize the legendary fight between Creugas of Durres and Damoxenos of Syracuse, a story recorded by the Greek geographer Pausanias (110- 180) in his 10-volume travelog 'Periegesis of Greece.' Canova developed the preliminary drawings for the two fighters and carved the larger-than-life-size statues over the next few years. Creugas was completed in 1801 and Damoxenos in 1806. Pope Pius VII (1742-1823) purchased the two pugilists and the statue of Perseus Triumphant (1800–1801) as part of his effort to restore masterpieces to the Vatican Collection after the French army had looted the museums in 1798.  Pius VII's purchase of these statues was significant at the time because it proudly reaffirmed a policy of national prerogatives, despite the robbery of those treasures inextricably linked to Rome. Today, Antonio Canova's Creugas and Damoxenos remain in their place of honor, flanking the statue of Perseus in the Octagonal Courtyard of the Vatican Museums.

Details

Dimensions
6.25ʺW × 3ʺD × 10.5ʺH
Styles
Figurative
Grand Tour
Art Subjects
Figure
Nude
Sport
Period
Early 19th Century
Place of Origin
Italy
Item Type
Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned
Materials
Bronze
Condition
Good Condition, Original Condition Unaltered, Some Imperfections
Color
Bronze
Tear Sheet
Condition Notes
Excellent Vintage Condition. Beautiful Dark Patina.

 

 

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SKU: 40323298057

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Mark Archer
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★★★★★ 4
25 lb hanger doesn’t hold my Echo trimmer
Size: 4" - Red, Style: Open Hooks, Size: 4" - Red, Style: Open Hooks
Purchased the holders for my Echo trimmer and hedger but the tines are not long enough to hold the Echos. A picture in the description shows a gas powered unit hanging which is why I bought the hangers. Buy the larger 45 lb hanger for trimmers. Nice hook but I’ll probably send them back if i can’t find a use for them soon.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2025
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Amazon Customer
Houston, US
★★★★★ 5
Handy
Size: 4" - Black, Style: Open Hooks
I use an ocean container for storage and have some things that need to be hanging. These are perfect for any place you are unable to drive nails. I bought the stronger ones and have had no problems. Ordered more after trying them.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2026
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Janie Bryson
Whiting, US
★★★★★ 5
Great gift for men who have everything for garage
Bought these as a gift for a man who has everything but these hooks. He loved them. size was perfect for garage and the magnetic strength was great.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2026
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Jane Gray
Chelsea, US
★★★★★ 5
good quality
Size: 4" - Black, Style: Open Hooks
Really strong magnets. Holds up stall cleaning forks on the trailer wall even when under way
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Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2026
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Spunky Punky Sparkle Princess
Chelsea, US
★★★★★ 5
These are a good choice
Color: Black-2 Set
These are great. They are made well, look nice and are easy to move when I’m dusting. I use these to keep perfumes, lotions and vitamins organized atop my dresser. The velvety compartments are a well sized and the layout is conducive to storing the kind of objects women or men typically store atop a dresser. I find these bins quite functional. I feel like these were a good value. They weren’t the cheapest and they weren’t the most expensive. They look nice and feel high quality enough.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2025

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