Antique Grand tour bronze bust of the Apollo Belvedere

A fine Grand Tour bronze bust of the Apollo Belvedere. This appears to be a quite early cast, probably from the early 19th century but perhaps considerably earlier. The wax and ingrained dirt has changed the colour of the bronze surface but areas can be seen where a fine dark brown patina is showing through. Thought to have been discovered in the late 15th century the famed marble statue has long been a favourite bronze for collectors the world over. Sometime after 1511 it was brought to the the palazzetto near the Vatican Palace. It has subsequently been known as the Apollo of the Cortile del Belvedere. It is now housed in the Museo Pio-Clementino at the Vatican Museums, Rome. Italian 19th century. 17inches high by 10.5 inches wide by 4.5 inches deep ( 42.5 cms by 21.25 cms by 11.25 cms).