An astonishing, exceptional and uncommon pair of mid 19th century, Italian marble reliefs or wall plaques. The subject of these beautiful reliefs is drawn from classical antiquity - they depict Nyx and Hemera, the Greek godesses of night and day. The reliefs were brought to New Zealand by a member of the Ballantyne family who were the founders of the Ballantynes department store in Christchurch which dates back to 1854 - a treasured souvenir of a Grand Tour. Exquisitely and skillfully carved marble encased in their original iron clad frames covered in original yet faded velvet. The pair of reliefs are large and reasonably weighty - dimensions 610 mm x 545 mm and 90 mm deep. A truly significant and covetable pair of mid 19th century marble reliefs which happily remain in good original condition. Priced as a pair.