AMBROGIO BORGHI | Mascherina (Girl with a Mask)

Overall the condition of the marble is very good, with minor dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. The marble retains its beautifully carved, original surface, which is in excellent condition. The tip of the proper right little finger is reattached/restored. There is a restored break running through the mask. There are a few small naturally occurring inclusions to the marble, some of which have been filled, such as at the legs. There are a few small chips and abrasions around the integral base. The red pigment in the signature is later. There is minor veining to the marble, consistent with the material, including to the nose. There is a slightly open vein in the hair at the top. The wood and black marble base may be contemporary with the sculpture; there is general wear, including scratches and stable splitting to the wood.
"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."

Ambrogio Borghi was a pupil at the Accademia di Brera from 1861 to 1869. In 1871 he won the coveted Oggioni prize – a scholarship to study for three years in Rome. At the young age of 32, Borghi was given the chair of modelling at his alma mater and his pupils included Medardo Rosso. He was awarded a number of prestigious public commissions and won the competition to create the monument to Garibaldi in Milan, but died before he was able to complete it. He was only 38. In his own lifetime he was best-known for his public monuments and his skill at modelling in clay, for which he was awarded the teaching position at the Accademia di Brera. The Mascherina was conceived before 1875 and versions were exhibited at the Brera in 1875 and at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in 1876. Given the date of the present marble it is possible that it is the one which was shown in Philadelphia, though it is photographed with a different base, which may indicate that it is another version. The present marble beautifully preserves Borghi's wonderful original surface, with its enthralling array of carefully finished textured details. RELATED LITERATURE
L'Esposizione Universale di Filadelfia del 1876 illustrata, Milan, 1876, pp. 98-99, ill. p. 100; M. G. Schinetti, 'Ambrogio Borghi. Un contributo per la storia della scultura a Milano nel secondo Ottocento', in Arte lombarda, 1995, 2-4, p. 140 (a version of the Mascherina is illustrated, possibly the present marble)