Benedetto Boschetti (fl. 1820-1870) Italian, mid 19th century

bronze, mid-brown patina

Overall the condition of the bronze is very good with some minor wear to the patina consistent with age. There is some minor black spotting to the patina at the corners at the front of the truncation and at the chin and nose. There are a few minor visible casting plugs including one to the proper right cheek.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Boschetti's shop in Rome was located on the via Condotti, no.74 and specialised not just in bronze reductions of well-known antiquities but also a variety of marble works, candelabras, mosaic table-tops and shell engravings. For example, a mosaic table illustrating the Triumph of Cupid is in the Gilbert Collection, London and a fine copy of the Warwick Vase carved in rosso antico is in the Toledo Museum in Ohio.  González-Palacios argues that the signatures on Boschetti bronzes may refer as much to the workshop as the sculptor himself. Boschetti is recorded as having won a prize medal at the Great Exhibition in London in 1851 and a model of Cesare Augusto was displayed at the 1876 Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia.

RELATED LITERATURE
A. Panzetta, Nuovo dizionario degli scultori Italiani dell'ottocento e del primo novecento, Turin, 2003, p. 104; A.González-Palacios, 'I Mani del Piranesi (I Righetti, Boschi, Boschetti, Raffaelli)', Paragone Arte, XXVII, no.315, May 1976, figs.31a-b, no.8, p.38 &166