A 16th century Italian bust
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18
A 16th century Italian terracotta bust of John the Baptist
in the manner of Antonio Begarelli, Italian (died 1556)
looking slightly to dexter and downward, wearing a camel hair robe tied at the left shoulder, raised on a later velvet covered, wooden plinth, 50cm high (19.5" high) 62cm high (24" high) including base.
Estimate:
£20,000 - 30,000
€23,000 - 35,000
US$ 30,000 - 45,000

Footnotes

  • Begarelli worked mainly in Modena, producing free-standing terracotta figures for numerous altarpieces, including the Deposition of Christ in the Church of San Francesco. Unlike other contemporary sculptors Begarelli did not polychrome decorate his works, instead preferring to paint them white to resemble marble. Giorgio Vasari stated "Michelangelo, when passing through Modena, saw many beautiful figures which the Modenese sculptor, Maestro Antonio Begarino, had made of terra-cotta, coloured to look like marble, which appeared to him to be most excellent productions; and, as that sculptor did not know how to work in marble, he said, 'If this earth were to become marble, woe to the antiques."

    For comparable works offered at auction see lot 63, Sotheby's London, 9 July 2008 and and lot 517, Christies, London, 7 July 2011.

Category: Furniture / European Furniture and Works of Art

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Contacts

Fine Furniture (UK) Bonhams
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Jackie Brown Bonhams
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Auction Administration - European Furniture and Works of Art
Francois Le Brun Bonhams
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Camille Mestdagh Bonhams
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Specialist - European Furniture and Works of Art