A Doccia group of two Moorish slaves, circa 1760-80

in the white, the loosely-draped naked couple standing turning away from each other on a rocky outcrop, their feet and hands shackled with chains

In excellent condition; typical original firing cracks in the rockwork and in thicker parts of the modelling, notably his stomach, left arm and thigh.
"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 celebrated figures of bound slaves made by Pietro Tacca for the monument to Ferdinand de' Medici at Livorno, were very influential, and Giambattista Foggini's slightly later figures of bound slaves and of captured corsairs, in their turn, inspired a range of figures at Doccia.

The proprietor of the factory, Carlo Ginori, actually acquired the wax casts of some of these figures from the estate of Foggini, and in some cases the sectional moulds for their production, in order to make the highest quality figures possible.

Perhaps the most often encountered single figure of this series is a version of the male figure here, but with the moustachioed features of a corsair, taken from Foggini's figure of Asia.

These figures seem usually to have been individually modelled and sold in pairs, and it is rare indeed to find a group of two figures together such as this.

A separate pair of these two Moorish subjects was sold in these rooms, 8th July 1997, lot 9.  A single male figure with the moustachioed face is in the National Museum Stockholm, see L.Lisci, La Porcellana di Doccia, 1963, pl.43.