Italian, late 19th century

The theme of mother and child was a very popular one in Italian 19th Century sculpture. The dignity and piety of this mother with her covered head and rosary around her neck recall the long and beloved tradition of the Italian Madonna and Child. However, the genre has become secularised as witnessed by the sensuous glimpse of the mother's left shoulder. The verissimo style also distances the group from its devotional association as details such as the leading reins and the pin holding the veil are carefully picked out, firmly setting the woman into the Italian vernacular.

The group most probably dates to the 1850's and the polished finishing and meticulous details are typical of Italian work.