Antique Italian Carved Alabaster Centerpiece With Grape Clusters and Dolphins

On offer is an Italian hand-carved alabaster tazza, also known as a compote or pedestal centerpiece bowl, dating to the late 19th or early 20th century. Carved from translucent white alabaster with gray veining, it features classical and mythological motifs associated with Grand Tour and Renaissance Revival decorative traditions.
The bowl is encircled by deeply undercut grape leaves and heavy grape clusters, while the central pedestal is formed by two intertwined dolphins. A carved scallop shell leads into the octagonal stepped base.
Viewed from above, the open-mouthed dolphin forms are visible around the rim. Small openings in the carved leaves are part of the hand-carving process, likely made with a manual bow or pump drill.
Genuine alabaster is softer and more porous than marble and is prized for its translucency, which gives the stone a warm glow in natural or direct light. Dark gray streaks and spotty blemishes are natural mineral veining, not stains.
Circular tooling marks on the base suggest the main block was first turned on a lathe, then finished by hand. The pierced grapevines and twisting dolphin forms were chiseled and refined by an artisan, consistent with work produced in stone-carving workshops around Florence and Volterra for travelers and collectors.
Because alabaster is water-soluble, do not wash with water or liquid cleaners; dust only with a soft dry cloth or soft-bristled brush.
Signature/Maker’s mark: Nonexistent.
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