TWO RELIEF PORTRAITS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

Details

TWO RELIEF PORTRAITS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
THE FIRST TERRACOTTA, BY JEAN BAPTISTE NINI, SIGNED "NINI/F1777"; THE SECOND [ATTRIBUTED?] WEDGEWOOD, -----

The first, circular, centering a profile portrait of a capped Benjamin Franklin, and marked in either side of subject, "B. FRANKLIN" and "AMERICAIN," enclosed by reeded border; the second, an oval portrait depicting the subject in profile, cream on blue ground, enclosed in rectangular black frame--4 3/4in. diam.; 5 1/2in. high, 4 1/2in. wide

Lot Essay

An Italian artist, Jean Baptiste Nini made the terracotta relief for the American market. For a similar terracotta medallion of Benjamin Franklin by Nini, see merican Antiques from Israel Sack Collection, vol. 3, no. 20, p. 775, fig. P3403.