A BRONZE FIGURE OF THE FARNESE FLORA

Details

A BRONZE FIGURE OF THE FARNESE FLORA
BY GIACOMO OR GIOVANNI ZOFFOLI, ITALIAN, LATE 18TH CENTURY

The standing goddess with a pleated robe and holding a wreath of flowers in her hand, on a square base with canted corners at the front, inscribed 'G.Z.F.'-13in. (33cm.) high, reddish brown patina with extensive black lacquer

Provenance

Anon. sale; Sotheby Parke Bernet, New York, 29-30 May, 1981, lot 173A

Literature

COMPARATIVE LITERATURE
H. Honour, Bronze Statuettes by Giacomo and Giovanni Zoffoli, "Connoisseur", November, 1961, pp. 189-205

Lot Essay

In 1773 Vincenzo Pacetti was commissioned to make a small model of the Flora Farnese for Giacomo Zoffoli and the signature G.Z.F. corresponds with a maker's mark registered by Giacomo Zoffoli when he became a member of the goldsmith's guild in Rome. It is therefore likely that Giacomo rather than Giovanni was the originator of this reduction of the antique model. The Farnese Flora does however appear in the price list of Giovanni Zoffoli printed in about 1795.