CA0512 Rare Grand Tour marble bust of the Vatican Satyr

Rare early 19th century statuary white marble bust of the 'Testa di satiro sorridente' or smiling satyr after the antique Hellenistic original in the Chiaramonti gallery in the Vatican Museum in Rome. Number 7 in the gallery of hundreds of busts. Another surviving ancient example of this bust, said to have been restored by Antonio Canova, was once in the Borghese Collection and the Walters Art Gallery. Other similar examples include a full length depiction of a laughing satyr which can be seen in the Octagonal Courtyard in the Vatican. This exuberant smiling satyr is depicted with two bunches of ivy berries in his hair. Originally from a garden in Portugal where it had been for many years this bust has a lovely almost matt slightly weathered finish. Set on ebonised scholastic wooden socle. Italy, probably Rome, circa 1830.

H 42cm x W 20cm x D 21.5cm