Attributed to Raffaele Monti (Italian, 1818-1881): A pair of third quarter 19th century white marble busts of Milton & Shakespeare
the former modelled full face with long curling hair, lace trimmed tassel tied collar and draped shoulders, the later looking slightly to sinister wearing a tassel tied lace trimmed shirt and drapery, both apparently unmarked and raised on turned moulded circular socles, 51cm high overall approximately (2)
Footnotes:
Born in Milan, Raffaele Monti (sometimes mistakenly misspelt as Rafaelle or Raffaelle) was a sculptor, author and poet.

Training under his sculptor father Gaetano Matteo Monti and at the Imperial Academy in Milan, he was invited to Vienna in 1838/9 where he cultivated extensive patronage before returning to Italy two years later.

In 1846, Monti travelled to England for the year, before making the decision to move to the country permanently. He exhibited at the Royal Academy and gained a favourable recognition as a leading sculptor with his acclaimed work for the 6th Duke of Devonshire, the 'Veiled Vestal' which featured an illusionistic veil which became a specialism of his. A bust based on this work subsequently cast in 'statutory' porcelain (now known as Parian) by Copeland entitled 'The Bride' but often known as 'The Veiled Bride', was produced in larger numbers from 1861 by the (Crystal Palace) Art Union. This became one of the most popular subjects in the medium of Parian and Parian style porcelain, and is now widely associated as one of the most typical examples of the decorative arts of mid Victorian Britain.

Monti produced in marble, bronze and porcelain, while remaining active in the applied arts until his death in 1881.
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