IMAGE DETAILS

Gallery Desmet

Pair of staggering and pacing horses
Attributed to Francesco Fanelli (Italy, 1590-1653)
Bronze, black lacquer patina
Florence, second quarter of the 17th century
H 15 x W 16.5 x D 5 cm
H 16.5 x W 16 x D 5 cm
Provenance: private collection, Italy

To introduce these bronzes, there is no better way than the description made by the English antiquarian George Vertue (1684-1756). He depicted a number of statuettes by Fanelli at Welbeck:

Fannelli the Forentine Sculptor who livd and dyd in England, made many small statues. models & cast them in brass (i.e. bronze). which he sold to persons that were Curious to sett on Tables cupboards shelves by way of Ornament - and irons. Many were bought by W. Duke of Newcastle, and left at Welbeck. where the Earl of Oxford. found them.

This Fanelli had a particular genius for these works and was much esteemd in King Charles I time - and afterwards - so many of this little Statues as I have seen at
Ld Oxfords -

It shows us the impact and influence of yet another Florentine sculptor in England and this pair of bronzes is exactly what Fanelli is famous for: dark black lacquer patina, the subject of horses and the small size to appeal to the collector’s desire of the high nobility in England and beyond.