After a model by Massimiliano Soldani-Benzi (1656-1740) Italian, Doccia factory, circa 1760-70 After the Antique

in the white, standing with her right arm outstretched holding flowers, her left hand holding drapery across her thighs with further drapery covering her breasts

A Doccia figure of Flora, circa 1760-70 Some restoration to rear left corner of base. Shallow chip to top edge of robe covering her chest. Some glaze chips to extremities.
"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 figure derives from the restored antique marble in the Boboli Gardens, Florence, one of the groups copied by Soldani Benzi for small scale bronzes. Eight terracottas for Soldani's series are in the Museo Richard Ginori, Sesto Fiorentino (Lankheit, op. cit., figs. 13-20), whilst the present model is listed in the inventory (Lankheit, op. cit., p. 158, 81/21). An earlier Doccia figure of Flora modelled without the drapery covering the breasts is in the Detroit Institute of Arts, (Catalogue, op. cit., 2002, p. 89, no. 166). A bronze version was sold Sotheby's London, 8th December 2009, lot 80.

RELATED LITERATURE
K. Lankheit, Die Modellsammlung der Porzellanmanufaktur Doccia, Munich, 1982, figs. 13-20