The Borghese Balustrade
Guiseppe di Giacomo
Category
Art / Sculpture
Date
1618 - 1619
Materials
Brick, Stone
Order this imageCollection
Cliveden Estate, Buckinghamshire
NT 766256.1
Caption
In 1896 when William Wardorf Astor brought back sections of balustrading from the Villa Borghese in Rome for his gardens at Cliveden, some secret passengers hitched a ride. Papillifera papillaris - a species of tiny, air-breathing land snails - typically makes its home in rocky limestone habitats in Italy. In this instance, a colony of these minute Mediterranean molluscs burrowed into crevices of the travertine balustrade which was originally carved for Cardinal Scipione Borghese in the 17th century. Since their arrival in 1896, these reclusive guests have survived two world wars, the Profumo sex scandal and more than their fair share of freezing British winters. They were only identified in 2008 after a volunteer encountered the tiny molluscs while cleaning the garden statuary. The ‘Cliveden snails’, as they are affectionately known, have been true to character and have only travelled about 25 cm a year, taking more than a hundred years to reach stonework 60 yards away. At this rate, there’s little chance of this foreign invader becoming an invasive species any time soon.
Summary
Sculpture, Travertine and brick tile, The Borghese Balustrade, 1618-1619 by Guiseppe di Giacomo and Paolo Massini. Eastern sections of stone balustrading alternate with sections of red brick wall with stone seats, while at the corners and ends, are large pedestals for statues carved with the dragons and eagles of the house of Borghese. the central pair of pedestals are the most elaborate, with small fountain basons on three sides into which grotesque masks spew a constant stream of water.
Provenance
Carved for Cardinal Scipione Borghese. Bought from the Villa Borghese and set up at Cliveden in 1896. Presented to the National Trust, with the house and grounds, by Waldorf, 2nd Viscount Astor (1879-1952) in 1942.
Makers and roles
Guiseppe di Giacomo, sculptor Paolo Massoni, sculptor