STAMPED BY CAPRONI BROTHERS (W. 1878-1928), BOSTON, LATE 19TH-EARLY 20TH CENTURY

Based upon a bronze bust by Jean Antoine Houdon (1741-1828), this plaster portrait bust depicts the renowned patriot and "Father of the American Navy," John Paul Jones (1747-1792). The likeness offered here is a reproduction made by the firm established by the Italian immigrant and plaster caster, Pietro Paulo Caproni (1862-1928). During the early twentieth century, the Caproni firm was the country's leading producers of high-quality sculpture reproductions (see Fairbanks, "The art of Forest Hills cemetary," Antiques (November 1998).