Italian Neoclassical Grand Tour Sienna Marble Tomb of Scipios Inkwell

A 19th century Italian Grand Tour model of the tomb of Roman consul Lucius Cornelius Scipios Barbatus, the sarcophagus of rectangular form in carved sienna marble. Incised inscription reading: CORNELIVS.LVCIVS.SCIPIO·BARBATVS.GNAIVOD.PATRE PROGNATVS.FORTIS.VIR.SAPIENSQVE.QVOIVS·FORMA·VIRTVTEI·PARISVMA FVIT. CONSOL.CENSOR.AIDILIS.QVEI.FVIT.APVD.VOS.TAVRASIA·CISAVNA SAMNIO.CEPIT.SVBIGIT.OMNE.LOVCANA.OPSIDESQVE.ABDOVCIT 3.5" high x 8.5" wide x 3" deep. Good overall condition, normal wear consistent with age and use. Minor chips. Very good looking, ready to place. Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus (died circa 280 BC) was one of the two elected Roman consuls in 298 BC and led the Roman army to victory against the Etruscans near Volterra. A member of the noble Roman family of Scipiones, he was the father of Lucius Cornelius Scipio and Gnaeus Cornelius Scipio Asina and great-grandfather of Scipio Africanus and believed to be the founder of the Tomb of the Scipios in Rome. The sarcophagus of Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus is a solid tuff burial coffin of circa 150 BC, once located in the Tomb of the Scipios in Rome and now in the Vestibolo Quadrato of the Pio-Clementine Museum in the Vatican Museum complex. The Tomb of the Scipios was discovered in 1780.