TOMASSO II
TOMASSO II
After Francesco Fanelli (circa 1590–1693), Anglo-Italian, 17th/ 18th century
Pacing Horse
Lot Closed
October 19, 02:02 PM GMT
Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
After Francesco Fanelli (circa 1590–1693)
Anglo-Italian, 17th/ 18th century
Pacing Horse
bronze, on a veneered ebonised wood base
bronze: 15.5 by 18 cm., 6⅛ by 7⅛ in.
base: 9 by 15 cm., 3¾ by 6 in.
This beautiful bronze follows one of several models of horses created by Francesco Fanelli, which he used to make more complex groups, such as his Saint George Slaying the Dragon. George Vertue described in his diary a series of bronze horses by Fanelli at Welbeck Woodhouse, of which the present model can probably be identified with the horse ambling. Compositionally it relates directly to Giambologna's bronze equestrian portrait of Duke Cosimo I de' Medici in Florence.
It is not known exactly when Fanelli left England, but he is last recorded in 1641 in the will of the earl of Arundel. In 1663 his son, Giambattista Fanelli, returned to London and was appointed as a court sculptor to Charles II. He probably continued to cast his father's models, which survived well into the 18th and 19th centuries.
RELATED LITERATURE
John Pope-Hennessy, 'Some bronze statuettes by Francesco Fanelli', in The Burlington Magazine, vol. XCV, 1953, pp. 157-162
It is not known exactly when Fanelli left England, but he is last recorded in 1641 in the will of the earl of Arundel. In 1663 his son, Giambattista Fanelli, returned to London and was appointed as a court sculptor to Charles II. He probably continued to cast his father's models, which survived well into the 18th and 19th centuries.
RELATED LITERATURE
John Pope-Hennessy, 'Some bronze statuettes by Francesco Fanelli', in The Burlington Magazine, vol. XCV, 1953, pp. 157-162