Three Classical Figures: C.3217-1928

Titles

Three Classical Figures

Maker(s)

Factory: Cozzi Porcelain Factory

Entities

• Group

Categories

• Hard-paste porcelain

Description

Glazed hard-paste porcelain

Hard-paste porcelain, press-moulded and glazed; the underside is glazed and has three rectangular holes cut into it, two of which are ventilation holes for the figures above them. The base is circular with straight sides decorated in relief with a rectangular meander border, with four-petalled flowers and rosettes in the spaces. The top is rocky and uneven. On one side there is a woman in classical costume standing beside a male nude wearing a fig leaf, who stands in front of a tree stump. Each figure has their outer hand extended to the side. A female caryatid stands with her back to them, raising her left hand.

Notes

History note: Puttick & Simpson, London, 8 October, 1920, part of lot 124; purchased with another piece in the lot for 3 guineas, i.e. about £1.11s. 6d. each, by Dr J.W.L. Glaisher, Trinity College, Cambridge

Legal notes

Dr J.W.L. Glaisher Bequest

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Bequeathed (1928) by Glaisher, J. W. L., Dr

Dating

18th Dynasty, Late
Circa 1780 CE - 1800 CE

Note

The arrangement of the three figures so that the group can be viewed from both sides, suggests that it was intended to be used as a table ornament. It seems unlikely that it represents the Choice of Hercules as suggested by Rackham, because the nude male figure has no club or lion skin. All three figures were modelled are after classical marbles: the Zingara, the Capitoline Antinous, and a Caryatid from the Villa Albani (See Documentation).

School or Style

Neoclassical