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A Superb Pair of Neapolitan Carved Figures of Dwarves.
Attributed to Francesco Celebrano (1729 - 1814).
Marble.
Naples, Italy.
18th Century.
PROVENANCE:
Ex Private collection.
Francesco Celebrano was an Italian artist, sculptor and painter. He was well known for producing Neapolitan ‘presepio’ creche figures. A number of his ‘presepio’ figures are housed in museums, including Naples, Bavarian National Museum in Munich and the Metropolitan Museum, New York.
Celebrano trained as a painter and from the 1760s worked as a sculptor, painter and designer in Naples. He painted a number of altarpieces, was commissioned for the sculpture of the Chapel of San Severo in Sta Maria della Pietà and designed the maritime chariot for del d'Ofri, which brought him to the attention of Ferdinand IV (1751 - 1825). He was appointed director of the Royal Porcelain Factory of Naples at Capodimonte in 1770 and remained as its head until 1781. During this time, many models of figures were created at the factory, which may have reflected Celebrano’s interest in and modelling of figures for the Neapolitan ‘presepio’ figures.
Dimensions
Male: 36cm high - 14¼ ins high Female: 36cm high - 14¼ ins highThe BADA Standard
- Since 1918, BADA has been the leading association for the antiques and fine art trade
- Members are elected for their knowledge, integrity and quality of stock
- Our clients are protected by BADA’s code of conduct
- Our dealers’ membership is reviewed and renewed annually
- Bada.org is a non-profit site: clients deal directly with members and they pay no hidden fees