A Doccia porcelain head of a Muse circa 1750-60

perhaps Clio or Calliope, her head tilted and looking to dexter, a laurel crown in her hair (some chips and losses)

much of the laurel foliage chipped. Three chips, and other losses from the back of the head.
"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."

The nine muses can be difficult to identify and differentiate, especially when without their attributes, as here. However, both Clio (goddess of History) and Calliope (goddess of epic poetry) are traditionally depicted wearing a laurel crown.

This model thus remains unidentified for the moment, but it is most likely to have been inspired from a baroque sculpture seen by Carlo Ginori and his agents in the Florence museums rather than after the Antique. The head would have most probably completed an almost full-size statue of a muse, of which the factory produced a few examples in the 1740-1750s. These sculptures were so large that it was technically impossible to mould them in one piece, so they were made in three parts and joined together: the body and legs, the arms and the head. For complete examples, see the Medici Venus and the seated Venus, both illustrated in Baroque Luxury Porcelain, exhibition in the Liechtenstein Museum, Vienna, 2005 (fig. 250 and 252). Both models have the same very fine features on their faces and a typical thumb print or mark on their chin.

This lot is sold with a most interesting invoice, dated 4th May 1875, from antique dealer Vincenzo Cappelli in Florence, detailing the sale of  'una testa di donna in porcellana della antica fabbrica Ginori'. 

Only three Doccia porcelain busts appear to have been sold at auction previously (Sotheby's, London, 13 July 1976, lot 84; Sotheby's New York on 5 May 1970, lot 15 ; Sotheby's New York, 18 November 2010, lot 1) ; the present example is the only one to have appeared in this form.