TWO TERRACOTTA FIGURES OF THE CHRIST CHILD AND SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST, ITALIAN LATE 17TH/EARLY 18TH CENTURY

ONE SIGNED, 1676 G. MAZZA, THE OTHER GAETANO LOLLINI IN. FE./1743(?)

Details
TWO TERRACOTTA FIGURES OF THE CHRIST CHILD AND SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST, ITALIAN LATE 17TH/EARLY 18TH CENTURY
One signed, 1676 G. Mazza, the other Gaetano Lollini In. Fe./1743(?)
The Christ Child seated on a rock and looking down at a sheep, Saint John reclining on a draped globe; both on square bases with canted corners, on conforming giltwood stands with turned feet
13in. (13.5cm.) high; 16in. (42cm.) high

Lot Essay

Giuseppe Mazza (Bologna 1653-1741) studied painting under Canuti and Cignani, but is best known today for his stucco reliefs and sculpture. Although Mazza turned down an appointment to the court of Prince Johann Adam Liechtenstein in Vienna, he became member of the Academy of Clementina in Bologna.

Gaetano Lollini (d. Bologna 1769) was especially active in ecclesiastical commissions in Bologna during the middle of the 18th century. His works can be found in a number of Bolognese churches, including Saint Catherine, Saint Stephen and Saint Luke.

The present two figures, signed by different artists and dated almost 70 years apart, are a matched pair. For their similarity in scale, iconography and composition, it is probable that Lollini, the sculptor of the later figure, intended his piece to compliment Mazza's in a Bolognese chapel interior.

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