A refined and evocative set of three very fine antique Grand Tour architectural models of ancient remains in Rome, each finely cast in patinated bronze and mounted on shaped marble bases. These three are often seen as a group. Each model represents a Roman temple, with carefully rendered classical columns, and shaped plinths, demonstrating the high level of precision and antiquarian interest typical of Grand Tour bronzes. The bronzes retain an attractive, dark patinated surface, beautifully offset by the pale marble bases. Such architectural bronzes were produced for the Grand Tour market, appealing to scholars, collectors and travellers visiting Rome, Naples, Pompeii and Herculaneum, and reflect the 19th century fascination with classical antiquity and archaeological discovery. Well proportioned and sculptural, these pieced work equally well as a group, or displayed individually, making them ideal for a library, study, or classical interior. 1/The temple of Saturn was erected by the consul Titus Larcius in 17 B.C. It was used as the public treasury and as a repository for the decrees of the senate. Treasures were held in an underground chamber. The temple was enlarged in 42 B.C. and rebuilt after a fire in the 4th century A.D. Eight columns remain of this temple. 2/ The three columns that remain of the temple of Vespasian which was built by the son of Domitian in 94 A.D. and later restored by Septimius Severus. 3/. The Forum of Julius Caesar was the first of the imperial Forums. It was the site of the Temple of Venus and the site of the Roman stock exchange. Caesar built this Forum in his honour. The Roman Forum is located in a valley that is between the Palatine hill and the Capitoline hill. Italian Circa 1880 Height 14cm