AN ITALIAN RENAISSANCE STYLE GILT AND PAINTED TERRACOTTA PORTRAIT BUST ON STAND, STAMPED, EARLY 20TH CENTURY, modeled as a Renaissance era elegant beauty with her hair swept up and held by ribbon-wrapped braids, above a tall forehead with refined features and downturned eyes, above a perfect neck and truncated bust with damascene floral stem and leaves patterned robe in shallow relief with traces of polychrome paint and gilding, her right shoulder backside has inscribed "29," over an incised quartered circle, her left shoulder backside has impressed octagonal stamp enclosing a circular stamp with laurel wreath centering illegible marks, on an integral conforming base with frieze centering a blank scrolling tablet plaque, flanked by seated putti amidst foliage in relief and with patches of gilding and gesso remnants throughout, height: 19", width: 17", depth: 7"; raised on a similarly shaped plinth stand with a continuous band of circled trefoils in relief and gilt, height: 4", width: 20", depth: 9". Note: This beautiful portrait bust is after the original dated 1472 that has been attributed to Francesco Laurana (Dalmatian c. 1430-1502) a proponent of the Renaissance as well as a medallist, sculptor, and architect. The bust was titled, "Princess of the House of Naples," but said to be that of the young noblewoman Ippolita Maria Sforza (1445-1488) from the famous ruling family of the Duchy of Milan. She was highly educated and studied philosophy, Greek, and Latin. She was noted for her poetry as well and at the age of 14 wrote a Latin address to Pope Pius II, which was eventually spread by manuscript and recognized by many afterward. She married the Duke of Calabria and had three children. The Duke later became King of Naples but sadly after her death. Even so, one of their sons became King of Naples, and the daughter Isabella gave birth to the future Queen of Poland. Ippolita Maria died in Naples at the age of 43. Provenance: Private Collection, Pearland, Texas.

Good condition for earthenware sculpture of this age and use including but not limited to paint/gilding losses throughout, one old crack underneath her right shoulder, normal small scratches, nicks, and paint residue throughout. The plinth/stand is possibly associated. Simpson Galleries strongly encourages in-person inspection of items by the bidder. Statements by Simpson Galleries regarding the condition of objects are for guidance only and should not be relied upon as statements of fact and do not constitute a representation, warranty, or assumption of liability by Simpson Galleries. All lots offered are sold "AS IS."