Nymphenburg Figures by Bustelli, Set "Four Seasons",c.1923

Name: Nymphenburg Figures by Bustelli, Set "Four Seasons",c.1923
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1058905
Availability: SoldOut

1900 - 1920

Sold by Gillers Antiques Ltd

Description

This set consists of four of Bustelli's Ovidian gods standing on pedestals. Ceres (Summer) with her arms full of grain, Bacchus (Autumn) celebrating the grape harvest on a large wine barrel, Vulcan (Winter) trying to keep warm while standing by a blazing brazier, and Flora (Spring) holding a bouquet of beautiful flowers in her robes, with a few added to her hair for good measure. All are about 17.5cm high and are in lovely condition.

From 1754 to 1763 Franz Anton Bustelli modelled at Nymphenburg many small putti depicting the Roman gods described by the Latin poet Ovid. He took a different approach from previous depictions of the gods, seeing them as smiling, playful Baroque children, with sculpted, three-dimensional poses that twist and turn. Each figure must be seen in the round to be fully appreciated. Each figure is also accompanied by a specific object or objects that identify which god is represented, such as a wine barrel and an upraised goblet for Bacchus, the god of wine. Bustelli's figures of Ovidian gods have been reissued since the early 20th century by the Nymphenburg factory in Munich as a fitting tribute to the genius of its greatest sculptor.

Lit: Alfred Ziffer. Nymphenburg Modernism. Exhibit. Munich City Museum 1997/1998. pp. 454.

Cherub in the form of Vulcan on pedestal No. 669a

Cherub in the form of Ceres on a pedestal No. 265a

Cherub in the form of Bacchus on pedestal No. 241a

Cherub in the form of Flora on pedestal No. 417a

Exceptional condition with no visible chips, cracks or damage of any kind

Please carefully regard all photos.

The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance.

Note that the shipping cost covers labor, packaging, and postage

UK delivery is £12

Upon request, we are willing to provide a quote for shipping outside of UK

Declaration

Gillers Antiques Ltd has dated this piece to the 1920s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1058905

Description

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From 1754 to 1763 Franz Anton Bustelli modelled at Nymphenburg many small putti depicting the Roman gods described by the Latin poet Ovid.

Gillers Antiques Ltd

He took a different approach from previous depictions of the gods, seeing them as smiling, playful Baroque children, with sculpted, three-dimensional poses that twist and turn. Each figure must be seen in the round to be fully appreciated. Each figure is also accompanied by a specific object or objects that identify which god is represented, such as a wine barrel and an upraised goblet for Bacchus, the god of wine. Bustelli's figures of Ovidian gods have been reissued since the early 20th century by the Nymphenburg factory in Munich as a fitting tribute to the genius of its greatest sculptor.