M Lees and Sons has dated this piece to the 1900s.
1812.

The technique employed in this bust study is of a type used by the esteemed English company of Elkington & Co., though unmarked by this manufacturer . The bronze patinated body is a skin , or layer , of moulded copper laid over a composition core , resulting in magnificently detailed finish which copies a finely-cast and vastly more costly bronze casting .

The enormously popular Neoclassical sculptor Antonio Canova frequently made replicas or variants of his major works to satisfy the demand for his art . This particular study is a true-to-scale copy of the marble original , one version of which is in the collection Chicago Institute of Art.

The sculpture depicts the moment in Greek Mythology when the shepherd Paris, ,called by Zeus to judge who was the most beautiful among Hera ,Athena and Aphrodite, turns to gaze at the three goddesses.

Canova exploited the subject to create an ideal head , balancing the geometry of pure forms with the sensuousness of Paris's expression.
Mounted upon an integral circular socle base . The reverse of the bust complete with the sculptor's inscription "Ant .Canova F A 1812" .

Excellent rich 'chocolate' patina throughout. Superb representation of the detail of the marble original .
A beautiful study and copy of the work of the Neoclassical master sculptor.
H 26"
W 16"
D 12"
England or France c.1900
M Lees and Sons has dated this piece to the 1900s.
M.lees & sons , 'tower house' , severn st., worcester wr12nb tel . 07860826218
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