18th / 19th Century Italian Rosso Di Verona Marble Relief Sculpture of Saint Michael Slaying Lucifer

£2,175.00

Large 18th / 19th Century Italian Verona marble relief of St Michael (Archangel) slaying Lucifer.

Finely sculpted rectangular marble plate. Rosso di Verona marble.

St Michael is depicted as a winged Angel wearing armour, holding a thrusting sword and standing on the demonic Lucifer, also with wings, below.

Large scale and impressive sculptural piece.

H: 83cm x W: 57cm - 6.3cm Deep.

Heavy - Approx 90kg.

In art and sculpture, St Michael is often represented as an angelic warrior, fully armed with helmet, sword, and shield. The shield may bear the Latin inscription Quis ut Deus or the Greek inscription Christos Dikaios Krites or its initials. He may be standing over a serpent, a dragon, or the defeated figure of Satan, whom he sometimes pierces with a lance. The iconography of Michael slaying a serpent goes back to the early fourth century, when Emperor Constantine defeated Licinius at the Battle of Adrianople in AD 324, not far from the Michaelion, a church dedicated to Archangel Michael.

Constantine felt that Licinius was an agent of Satan and associated him with the serpent described in the Book of Revelation (12:9). After the victory, Constantine commissioned a depiction of himself and his sons slaying Licinius represented as a serpent a symbolism borrowed from the Christian teachings on the Archangel to whom he attributed the victory. A similar painting, this time with the Archangel Michael himself slaying a serpent, then became a major art piece at the Michaelion and eventually lead to the standard iconography of the Archangel Michael as a warrior saint.

Large 18th / 19th Century Italian Verona marble relief of St Michael (Archangel) slaying Lucifer.

Finely sculpted rectangular marble plate. Rosso di Verona marble.

St Michael is depicted as a winged Angel wearing armour, holding a thrusting sword and standing on the demonic Lucifer, also with wings, below.

Large scale and impressive sculptural piece.

H: 83cm x W: 57cm - 6.3cm Deep.

Heavy - Approx 90kg.

In art and sculpture, St Michael is often represented as an angelic warrior, fully armed with helmet, sword, and shield. The shield may bear the Latin inscription Quis ut Deus or the Greek inscription Christos Dikaios Krites or its initials. He may be standing over a serpent, a dragon, or the defeated figure of Satan, whom he sometimes pierces with a lance. The iconography of Michael slaying a serpent goes back to the early fourth century, when Emperor Constantine defeated Licinius at the Battle of Adrianople in AD 324, not far from the Michaelion, a church dedicated to Archangel Michael.

Constantine felt that Licinius was an agent of Satan and associated him with the serpent described in the Book of Revelation (12:9). After the victory, Constantine commissioned a depiction of himself and his sons slaying Licinius represented as a serpent a symbolism borrowed from the Christian teachings on the Archangel to whom he attributed the victory. A similar painting, this time with the Archangel Michael himself slaying a serpent, then became a major art piece at the Michaelion and eventually lead to the standard iconography of the Archangel Michael as a warrior saint.

SHIPPING:

Purchase price does not include shipping. All items are shipped fully insured from our London SE18 address. Or collection is possible most days by appointment.

We will package small to medium items for shipping, or box or wrap larger items sent by courier, at no charge. If a larger item requires to be sent in a crate that will be part of the shipping cost. 

Customer to pay for shipping / courier & insurance after purchase - cost depends on item and destination. 

The customer will also have to pay any import taxes & duties directly to the authority depending on the destination countries policy. 

Small to medium items that aren't fragile can be sent via Fedex to UK, EU and Rest of World. We would recommend sending any larger fragile or large items by courier vans to UK addresses. We have also used reliable and affordable couriers for such items to West & Central EU. Large and fragile items can also be sent crated via shipping companies.

We can offer advice and a close estimated quote in advance of purchase, and advise on the most cost effective but safe options..

We can also advise on import VAT charges to the EU (antiques and works of art over 100 years old are charged at a lower % tax to EU countries, usually around 5.5%). 

As of late 2025 the USA now charges a 10% tarif, despite antiques of over 100 years old having zero tarif-line duty. Tarifs will also vary depending on an items country of manufacture. There may also be a US customs processing & clearance fee. We will work with you to provide the correct commodity code and paperwork to minimise any such tarif/fees as much as possible.

Most items are antique and fragile and some wear should be expected. Condition will be accurately reported in item descriptions 

Items are honestly & accurately described with clear photos. All sales are final, with no returns (unless misrepresented in the listing - any issues to be confirmed within one week of delivery).

Please email with any questions.