signed P. Bazzanti/Florence. (on the base), on rotating white marble pedestal

Much like his contemporaries, including Fortunato Galli, Piétro Bazzanti was often inspired by popular subjects, novels and themes of his day. Here the artist playfully depicts Esmeralda from Victor Hugo's beloved 1831 novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame as she teases her goat Djali. Another example of this model was sold at Bonham's, Los Angeles, 14 September 2009, lot 1280 ($45,750).