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Rare Italian Antique (Ca. 18thc) Marble Boy’s Bust, Follower of Desiderio Da Settignano
Sold by Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art
Id #SA1161014
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Rare Italian Antique (Ca. 18thc) Marble Boy’s Bust, Follower of Desiderio Da Settignano

18th century
Sold 10 February 2026 · Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art
This “Rare Italian Antique (Ca. 18thc) Marble Boy’s Bust, Follower of Desiderio Da Settignano” found a buyer.

It was listed by Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

Description

Extremely rare beautiful Italian Antique (ca 18thC) marble bust of a young boy, possibly the infant Christ aged around 3 years, by a follower of Desiderio da Settignano (1428-1464), one of the most influential and skilled sculptors of the early Renaissance period in Florence. 30cm high x 26cm wide x 10.5cm deep, weight 8.35kg.

Good condition. As can be seen in the photos, there is an old repair (right shoulder) where the bust has been damaged in the past.

This fine bust relates closely to two marble busts of ‘A Little Boy’ by Desiderio da Settignano in the National Gallery of Art (Washington DC, USA); one from the Samuel H. Kress Collection (inv. no. 1943.4.94), and the other from the Andrew W. Mellon Collection (inv. no. 1937.1.113), which are sometimes thought to represent the Infant Christ. A similar bust by Desiderio da Settignano was acquired by the J. Paul Getty Museum (LA, USA) in 2018, while there is another in the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Vienna).

Further comparable busts of the Infant Christ and Saint John were sculpted by Desiderio's contemporaries, Antonio Rossellino and Mino da Fiesole (see Paolozzi Strozzi, op. cit., pp. 125-126). The sculptor of this bust was undoubtedly familiar with the work of these Florentine masters.

Date of Manufacture

Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art has dated this Antique Marble Bust to the 18th Century.

Physical Dimensions
Height
30cm (11.81")
Width
26cm (10.24")
Depth
10.5cm (4.13")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1161014
Dealers Internal Reference
AD635
Description
Extremely rare beautiful Italian Antique (ca 18thC) marble bust of a young boy, possibly the infant Christ aged around 3 years, by a follower of Desiderio da Settignano (1428-1464), one of the most influential and skilled sculptors of the early Renaissance period in Florence. 30cm high x 26cm wide x 10.5cm deep, weight 8.35kg.

Good condition.

“
As can be seen in the photos, there is an old repair (right shoulder) where the bust has been damaged in the past.
Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art
fig 1. An antique carved marble bust depicting a young boy with draped garments against a black background.
fig 1. Rare Italian Antique (Ca. 18thc) Marble Boy’s Bust, Follower of Desiderio Da Settignano

This fine bust relates closely to two marble busts of ‘A Little Boy’ by Desiderio da Settignano in the National Gallery of Art (Washington DC, USA); one from the Samuel H. Kress Collection (inv. no. 1943.4.94), and the other from the Andrew W. Mellon Collection (inv. no. 1937.1.113), which are sometimes thought to represent the Infant Christ. A similar bust by Desiderio da Settignano was acquired by the J. Paul Getty Museum (LA, USA) in 2018, while there is another in the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Vienna).

fig 2. An antique carved marble bust depicting a young boy with draped garments against a black background.
fig 2. Rare Italian Antique (Ca. 18thc) Marble Boy’s Bust, Follower of Desiderio Da Settignano

Further comparable busts of the Infant Christ and Saint John were sculpted by Desiderio's contemporaries, Antonio Rossellino and Mino da Fiesole (see Paolozzi Strozzi, op. cit., pp. 125-126). The sculptor of this bust was undoubtedly familiar with the work of these Florentine masters.

Date of Manufacture

Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art has dated this Antique Marble Bust to the 18th Century.

Height
30cm (11.81")
Width
26cm (10.24")
Depth
10.5cm (4.13")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1161014
Dealers Internal Ref
AD635
Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art
Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art
Sellingantiques verified Since Oct 2021
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art Profile Page

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An antique carved marble bust depicting a young boy with draped garments against a black background. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
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Archive I An antique carved marble bust depicting a young boy with draped garments against a black background. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Rare Italian Antique (Ca. 18thc) Marble Boy’s Bust, Follower of Desiderio Da Settignano

Archive II An antique carved marble bust depicting a young boy with draped garments against a black background. View II
Archive III An antique carved marble bust depicting a young boy with draped garments against a black background. View III
Archive IV An antique carved marble bust depicting a young boy with draped garments against a black background. View IV
Archive V An antique carved marble bust depicting a young boy with draped garments against a black background. View V
Archive VI An antique carved marble bust depicting a young boy with draped garments against a black background. View VI
Archive VII An antique carved marble bust depicting a young boy with draped garments against a black background. View VII
Archive VIII An antique carved marble bust depicting a young boy with draped garments against a black background. View VIII
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Location
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Somerset
United Kingdom
Verified Since Oct 2021
Items For Sale 35
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Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art
Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art
Verified Since Oct 2021
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Location: Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom
Verified
Oct 2021
For Sale
35
Sold
783
An antique carved marble bust depicting a young boy with draped garments against a black background.
Rare Italian Antique (ca. 18thC) Marble Boy’s Bust, follower of Desiderio da Settignano
Ref: SA1161014
An antique carved marble bust depicting a young boy with draped garments against a black background.
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Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectSculptures
  • Period18th century
  • StyleRenaissance Revival
  • MaterialMarble
  • ColourCream
  • MotifsCarved drapery, Naturalistic facial expression, Polished stone finish
  • SizeH 30 cm (12 in) x W 26 cm (10 in) x D 10.5 cm (4 in)

Portrait busts originating in the Renaissance style draw inspiration from classical antiquity, focusing on realistic facial features and emotive expressions, often depicting children or prominent figures.

These pieces were traditionally carved from blocks of solid white or veined marble using chisels, drills, and rasps, followed by hand-polishing with abrasives to achieve a smooth finish.

Authentic pieces typically exhibit natural weathering, tool marks consistent with period craftsmanship, patina from age, and mineral deposits within the stone pores that modern reproductions lack.

Placing the sculpture on a minimalist console table, mantelpiece, or within a dedicated display niche creates a striking focal point that contrasts historical texture with modern clean lines.

Marble should be cleaned using a dry or slightly damp microfibre cloth without harsh chemical cleaners, avoiding abrasive materials and maintaining stable indoor humidity levels to protect the stone.
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