Possibly Giovanni Battista Polidoro - Bust, Sculpture, Face of a woman - Limewood, stucco, oil paints - 18th century

A finely carved, stuccoed and oil-painted woman’s face. The painting has faded in the area immediately below the neck leaving the wood uncovered in the bust area. The sculptural quality is extraordinary considering how difficult this technique is. It has painted eyes covered with a glass lens, as usual in all Neapolitan artefacts of this kind. The work is likely comparable to the production of Giovanni Battista Polidoro (18th-19th century, Naples) , a well-known modeller for the Royal Factory. Polidoro made Nativity Scene figurines of remarkable value and other processional busts, like the one included in the present lot. These pieces were usually attached to mannequins adorned with rich clothes, which explains the non-painted area. The work has recently received a conservative restoration. It will be shipped with its contemporary turned wood base with professional custom packaging, inside plywood lined with polystyrene and shockproof corners. The shipping will also be provided with tracking and insurance.