A very rare Capodimonte group of snuff-takers, modelled by G. Gricci, circa 1750-1755

the gentleman with tricorn hat under his arm and a large handkerchief dangling from his pocket, offering snuff from a gold box to his companion, who holds her fan quizzically as she considers the offer, her panier dress delicately enamelled with evenly-spaced flower sprays (some restoration, cracks and losses)

she restored through neck, and cracked through dress and to lower part of dress above her shoes, part of her left hand and his right hand lacking, he chips to right hairs and edge of jacket, cracked through back of jacket and restored
"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."

Angela Caròla Perrotti has emphasized the key role played by the model of this pair in tracing the iconographic source used by Giuseppe Gricci for his gallant groups, which is derived from the painting "L'imbarco per Citera" by Jean Antoine Watteau, through the engravings of Tardieu and Scotin.

The characteristic proportion between the head and the body of Gricci figures, around 1750, the so called "Testa Piccola" (small head) on an elegant elongated body is again based on the composition of Watteau's figures.

The painted terracotta bozzetto of this group was sold by Sothey's London, May 21^st , 1968, lot 107, and this has been crucial, in A. Caròla- Perrotti's studies, to select and to unify, all the groups of the "Scene Galanti" theme. For similar models, see A. Caròla-Perrotti, op.cit., Naples, 1986, p.165, fig.b, and G. Morazzoni, J. Levy, op. cit.,  Milan, 1960, Vol II, pl.328.