After Giuseppe Piamontini

Heim Gallery, London

Pratesi 1993, nos. 430-431 (for Paris and Diana); Bellesi 2008, p. 25

All three with restorations throughout. Standard surface abrasions. Scratches, chipping, and pitting. All with pigment applied to surface. Diana: with restorations including - to neck, arms, bow, and drapery. Little finger on proper left hand is lacking. Juno: restorations include some drapery, proper left arm, through her abdomen. Paris: restorations include his proper left arm, some of fur, dog's head. All stable and decorative.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This group of three figures was probably made from the moulds of Piamontini's models at the Ginori manufactory, Doccia.  A hard-paste porcelain white-glazed figure of Paris circa 1745-1755 is in the Liechtenstein collection, Vienna, and another figure of Juno circa 1745-1755 is in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.  Thermoluminescence testing dates the present figure of Diana to the second half of the 19th century at earliest.  Piamontini's designs are also seen in a group sold at the Casa d'aste Pitti in Florence (Bellesi 2008 op. cit. figs. 16, 18, 19).

The Doccia porcelain manufactory was founded in 1737 by the Marchese Carlo Ginori producing hard-paste porcelain works.  Large scale figures, and other sculptures were copied from a collection of bronzes, waxes, and moulds by sculptors such as Soldani and Piamontini in the Marchese's collection.