11" (28 cm.) Polychromed terra cotta head with sculpted tousled brown curly hair, enamel eyes, parted lips with tiny painted teeth, tow-wrapped armature body, carved wooden lower arms and legs to above the knees, bare feet, antique woven metallic thread gown, and with attached wooden wings having carved detail of feathering, original cream/ochre/teal blue finish. Excellent condition. Neapolitan, attributed to Nicola Ingaldo, mid/late 1700s, his works were recorded in the inventory of Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies.
Presale Estimate:
1100/1300
16" (41 cm.) Polychromed terra cotta shoulderhead sculpted tilted to the side, oval face, elongated throat, defined modeled bosom, brown sculpted hair waved loosely from face and captured in loose curls at her nape, enamel eyes, exquisitely painted complexion, tow-wrapped posable armature body, carved wooden hands and legs, original ivory silk gown with Juliet sleeves, braid sash and tiny bead trim, undergarments, flannel coiffe with Alencon lace and tiny beads. Excellent condition, some light paint wear on hands. Neapolitan, mid-1700s in the manner of Sanmartino.
Presale Estimate:
1500/1700
11" (28 cm.) Polychromed terra cotta shoulderhead depicting a highly-characterized man with strong nose, high cheeks, enamel eyes, firm closed mouth, painted black curly hair under attached leather cap, tow-wrapped body, carved wooden arms and legs with wrapped leggings and sandal straps, wearing original worker costume with detailed features including belt, short pants, flannel vest, and shirt, pushing a wooden single-wheeled cart with wooden barrel. Excellent condition. Neapolitan, mid/late 1700s, highly-characterized face whose features are enhanced by ruddy nose and cheeks, stubbly chin, finely-crafted wooden cart.
Presale Estimate:
1400/1800
17" (43 cm.) Polychromed terra cotta shoulderhead of lady with modeled bosom and throat hollow, sculpted brown curly hair waved behind her sculpted ears and forming into a double-looped chignon at the back of her head, enamel inset eyes, well-formed features with defined chin, closed mouth, tow-wrapped posable body, carved wooden arms and legs, very expressive individually-carved fingers, painted green stockings, carved black shoes with red buckles and heels, wearing original folklore costume with well-detailed vest, beaded and gilt necklaces, and carrying woven market basket with flowers. Excellent condition. Neapolitan, late 1700s, especially fine detail of modeling of both hands and fingers.
Presale Estimate:
2000/2500
11" (28 cm.) Polychromed terra cotta shoulderhead turned to the left with heart-shaped face, well-defined throat hollow and defined bosom, brown sculpted hair with tendrils of curls around her face and over her sculpted ears, sculpted green cap with red corners, enamel eyes, charming turned-up nose tip, closed mouth, tow-wrapped posable body, expressively-carved wooden hands and painted blue stockings and red shoes, wearing original low bodice folklore costume with embroidered details, apron, blue apron streamers, and carrying woven basket of fruit. Excellent condition. Neapolitan, late 1700s, most beguiling facial expression enhanced by artistic painting, rare sculpted cap.
Presale Estimate:
1600/1900
10" (25 cm.) One-piece carved wooden mountain goat posed on back legs, her front legs raised, with sculpted detail of horns, goatee, open mouth, whiskers, and udder, realistic texturing of hide which is shaded black and white, on original wooden base. Excellent condition. Genovese, mid-1700s, a nearly identical piece attributed to G. Pittaluga is in the archives of the Palazzo Rosso in Genoa.
Presale Estimate:
800/1100
15" (38 cm.) Polychromed terra cotta shoulderhead of serious young man with sculpted short brown hair in tousled wind-blown manner, enamel eyes, well-defined cheekbones and nose, tow-wrapped posable body, carved wooden lower arms and legs, painted blue stockings and painted tan shoes with black buckles, wearing original brown velvet jacket with gold braid, silk vest, linen pants, shirt. Excellent condition. Neapolitan, late 1700s, outstanding detail of modeling and artistic painting.
Presale Estimate:
1800/2400
16" (41 cm.) Polychromed terra cotta shoulderhead, ebony black complexion, sculpted short cropped curly hair, black enamel up-glancing eyes, sculpted brows, distinctively-modeled nose and firm lips, impressed facial lines, tow-wrapped posable armature body, carved wooden lower arms and legs, painted black stockings, brown knee-high boots, wearing ivory silk faille tunic with hand-stitched vest with inset faux-emeralds and paillettes, metallic embroidery, magenta silk breeches, blue silk jacket with rich embroidery and sequin trim, earrings, and carrying wooden-handled spear with gold-plated tip with shaped figural designs. Excellent condition. Neapolitan, mid-1700s, outstanding portraiture and sculpting, superb costume.
Presale Estimate:
2400/2800
20" (51 cm.) h. 28"w. Polychromed terra cotta shoulderhead portraying young black-complexioned man with tightly-cropped sculpted hair, enamel eyes, aristocratic features, tow-wrapped posable armature body, carved wooden lower arms and legs with carved leg sashes, wearing original royal costume comprising yellow silk trousers, fitted green silk vest, lined red silk long coat, ivory silk collared cape, thickly-padded turban, and with metal sword; each costume element is richly encrusted with gilt threaded embroidery and applique paillettes and pearls. Seated upon a cream painted terra cotta horse with deeply-sculpted mane and tail, enamel eyes, lavishly-fitted with gold-encrusted saddle over fringed yellow silk saddle blanket, sculpted brass bits, noseband and stirrups, and posed on wooden base. Excellent condition. Neapolitan, mid-1700s, portraying Balthazar. King of Arabia, and bearer of myrrh in the traditional Magi scene. Outstanding in its presentation with extraordinary original costume in every small detail, superb sculpting, and finest state of preservation.
Presale Estimate:
10,000/12,000
22" (56 cm.) seated. 18"w. horse. Polychromed terra cotta shoulderhead portraying aged grey-haired bearded man, deeply-sculpted hair and flowing beard, enamel eyes, tow-wrapped posable armature body, carved wooden arms and legs, carved and painted distinctive green open-toed boots with gold rims, wearing very lavish original royal costume with overall gilt metallic embroidery and beading, comprising silk striped harem pants, lined silk fitted tunic, lined blue velvet jacket, golden silk cape with tasseled trim, padded draped turban with pearl beading and silk tip, sash with gilt sabre, and seated on brown painted terra cotta horse with enamel eyes, deeply-sculpted mane and tail, with decorated red velvet saddle and decorated harness, on wooden base. Excellent condition. Neapolitan, mid-1700s, portraying Caspar, King of Tarsus, bearer of gold in the traditional Magi scene. The model is extraordinary, only in its luxury size, but in its magnificent sculpting, lavish costume, and perfectly-preserved condition.
Presale Estimate:
10,000/12,000