A GROUP OF SIX FIGURES

NAPLES, MID-18TH CENTURY

Details

A GROUP OF SIX FIGURES
Naples, Mid-18th Century
Comprising a standing bearded and turbaned Magi (Gasparre) dressed in embroidered red and green silk costume, another turbaned Magi (Melchiorre) in embroidered green, white and striped silk costume mounted on a figure of donkey, the third bearded and turbaned Magi (Baldassarre) in embroidered mustard, green and cream silk costume mounted on a horse, with a label with ink inscription RNS 1392 to the underside of the stand, and a Moor page in embroidered red silk vest and cream and striped cotton costume, on later wooden stands
9½in. (24cm.) to 20¼in. (51.5cm.) high

Lot Essay

Both the figures of Gasparre and Melchiorre are attributable to the workshop of Lorenzo Mosca for their fine modelling. Compare, for example, the figure of the mounted Melchiorre with another Moor by Mosca illustrated in F. Mancini, Ibid, figs. 47-51. Gasparre, particularly for his sharpely and deeply incised facial hair, is comparable to those also illustrated in F. Mancini, Ibid, figs. 59-61. The mounted figure of Baldassare, in turn, bears close relation in the broader treatment of facial hair, squared jaw and excellent quality to the workshop of Giuseppe Sanmartino. See the figure of Joseph, sold Semenzato, Rome, 1 December 1999, lot 210, and another figure of Joseph by Sanmartino illustrated in F. Mancini, Ibid, fig. 4.

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