basorelievo antico che si vede nel portico della Chiesa di SS Apostoli. Vassi della raccolta del cavalier Ghezzi.

Original etching. 71 x 48 cms(plate size plus 10 cms extra margins on each side.Fine condition. The plate represents the frontispiece of the volume II of the Piranesi collection. Piranesi dedicated the volume to the general Schovvaloff.The upper part represents a relief with the roman imperial eagle. At the bottom some vases and sculptural  fragments. The composition has a deep dramatic effect.

This kind of  fragments were the elements used in the works by Piranesi as restorer and dealer in antiquities.He was a master in the integration of ancient sculptural fragments with the result of fancy objects that catched the imagination and taste of the "grand tour" travellers in Rome.His clientel were active buyers of these antiquities that nowadays are displayed either in private collections or in the most important museums worldwide. The text mentions that the piece was at the Aldobrandini palace and the another fragments at Villa Albani. The quality of the etching and impression are excellent. Ref Figacci  Piranesi 2016 Taschen pg 666.