Absolutely beautiful!!! I am no where near this good, but do you mind if I ask how long this cake took you to complete?  I feel like I am so slow, but don't have anything to compare myself to to know.   

Beautiful! 

gorgeous

LOVE this -- tasty eye candy -- well balanced so pretty pretty pretty -- refreshingly beautiful

Gorgeous!  I had a similar idea for my in-laws' golden wedding anniversary a few years ago (I wanted it to look like capodimante), but since I was planning the whole party, making the centerpieces, wrapping the favors, setting the tables, etc., I didn't have enough time to make the cake as elaborate as I would have really liked.  Seeing this cake, though, is similar to what I had envisioned originally.  You did an amazing job! 

Thank you so much, I love the way this turned out. It took me 3 partial 6 hour days to do the painting and handles. I didn't time the carving and covering.