An important late 18th Century Italian biscuit porcelain figurine depicting the Sleeping Child believed to be a Vatican commissioned example in the manner of Artus Quellinus the Elder (1609-1668) inspired by François Duquesnoy his teacher. The figure possibly from the workshop of Giovanni Volpato (1735-1803) and commissioned by the Vatican for Pope Pius VI. Pius was good friends with Volpato and gave him permission to open a porcelain shop in Rome to sell well known copies of marble and bronze statues as souvenirs for the Grand Tour. The figure holding a flower in his unturned hand which appears to be a subtle message referring to Pope Pius VI death in 1799, honouring his 23 year reign or the Purity of Christ as other examples have an empty hand. The figure of a cherub / putti on plinth base with punch stamped mark to underside. Measures approx; 14cm x 8cm. A 1741 soft paste example can be found in the British Museum
An important late 18th Century Italian biscuit porcelain figurine depicting the Sleeping Child believed to be a Vatican commissioned example in the manner of Artus Quellinus the Elder (1609-1668) inspired by François Duquesnoy his teacher. The figure possibly from the workshop of Giovanni Volpato (1735-1803) and commissioned by the Vatican for Pope Pius VI. Pius was good friends with Volpato and gave him permission to open a porcelain shop in Rome to sell well known copies of marble and bronze statues as souvenirs for the Grand Tour. The figure holding a flower in his unturned hand which appears to be a subtle message referring to Pope Pius VI death in 1799, honouring his 23 year reign or the Purity of Christ as other examples have an empty hand. The figure of a cherub / putti on plinth base with punch stamped mark to underside. Measures approx; 14cm x 8cm. A 1741 soft paste example can be found in the British Museum
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
