Magnificent terracotta sculpture representing Mercury, God of trade, thieves and messenger of the gods, sitting on a rock tying his winged heel. He is wearing the petasos, a winged hat, and his caduceus is on the ground. This sculpture, based on a model by Jean-Baptiste Pigalle, shows a young, naked god between rest and momentum. In a double swivel position, he prepares to leave.
The terracotta is signed on the terrace ''Pigalle” Jean-Baptiste PIGALLE (1714-1785) was a French sculptor who learnt sculpture from Robert Le Lorrain and Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne. After a trip to Italy where he was inspired by Antiquity, he created this model as a reception piece for the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture in July 1744. The original in marble is now in the Louvre Museum. Considered a master of sculpture of his time, he was under the protection of Madame de Pompadour from 1750.
French, Circa 1880
Condition. Great Condition.
Dimensions: Height 54.5 Cms x 34 Cms Width x 31 Cms Dep
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Judy Fox Antiques has been trading at No.81 Portobello Road since 1971. We deal in top quality Victorian and Edwardian furniture as well as decorative 19th century sculpture and objets d'art.
The majority of our extensive stock has been sympathetically restored and is, therefore, in showroom condition.
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Antique ID Number (AIDN): SA1020437
Dateline of this antique is 1880
Height is 54.5cm (21.5inches)Width is 34cm (13.4inches)Depth is 31cm (12.2inches)
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