Attr. Bertel Thorvalsden (1770-1844) WINGED CUPID, Italy, 19th Century

19th Century

Finely carved mythological roman subject of Minerva in Marble Travertino . Excellent condition from an estate of Veneto. Measurements: Statue cm 180 . Minerva (Pallas Athena in Greek...

This monumental pair of sculptures in "Bardiglio" marble represent Greek Athletes figure , on a cylindrical base . Exaltation of the male strength and beauty, inspired by the trend i...

Intricate, ethereal and highly textured, the abstract compositions of Japanese mosaic artist Toyoharu Kii reflect a sophisticated approach to the technical art of mosaic making. Clas...

Intricate, ethereal and highly textured, the abstract compositions of Japanese mosaic artist Toyoharu Kii reflect a sophisticated approach to the technica...

This amusing naturalistic sculpture in silver-plated pewter was probably made in the 17th century by Georg Schweigger. Inspired by a model created by another Nuremberg sculptor, Peter Flötner, it bears witness to the persistence during the baroque era of the naturalistic taste that emerged in the Renaissance. Intended as an ornament for some Kunstkammer, or cabinet of curiosities, this sculpture was a great success, as can be seen from the presence of similar works in many European museums. 1. Georg Schweigger Georg Schweigger was a baroque sculptor and medal founder from Nuremberg, known mainly for his small-scale works in stone, carved wood and cast metal. His only large-scale work, the Neptune Fountain, has been in the Petershof Palace, the summer residence of the Tsars near St. Petersburg, since 1797. This monumental sculpture demonstrates his taste for the representation of movement, which we find in this small piece, inspired, as we shall see, by earlier models. 2. The success of a naturalistic theme As is often the case in the history of art, the source of the Dog scratching his ear theme probably comes from an engraving, and more precisely from one made in Strasbourg in 1480 or in Aschaffenburg in 1481 by the Master of the Housebook, an anonymous engraver working in southern Germany at the end of the 15th century. This engraving seems to have been Peter Flötner’s (1490 - 1546) source of inspiration. Peter Flötner was a sculptor and engraver who settled in Nuremberg in 1522. The Louvre Museum also has a gilded lead statuette dated between 1500 and 1515 (on deposit at the Musée de L'Œuvre in Strasbourg), which in turn is thought to have served as a model for other known statuettes. This model was later taken up by the Frenchman Barthélemy Prieur...

Vitaliano Marchini (Melegnano 1888 - 1971), Ardito (Portrait of a Man), 1919 Carrara marble sculpture 43 x 26 x 15 cm signed on the right on the base: V. MARCHINI Exhibitions: Pala...

Luigi Preatoni (Novara 1845 - ?), Maiden with hat Marble bust 66 x 43 x 36 cm signed (L Preatoni) on edge of dress.

Antonio Maraini (Rome 1886 - Florence 1963), Annunciata Marble sculpture 54 x 15 x 10 cm signed on base.

This very finely carved statue is of a swimmer just leaning over to dive into an unseen pool. Signed P. Barzanti, Florence for Pietro Barzanti (1825-1895) of Florence, Italy. Barzani was a well known sculptor known for classical works in marble which is reflected in this figure's very delicate facial features and the skill shown in the carving of her hair and the cloth of her bathing costume...

Sculptor probably active in France in the late 19th century. The sculpture depicts a particularly famous subject by Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux (1827-1875), titled "Le Rieur napolitain," ...