Museum quality marble sculpture was executed in the late 19th century by important and high quoted Italian sculptor Guglielmo Pugi (* around 1850 in Fiesole; † 1915). For comparison see on the last additional photo fully identical sculpture, sold by Sothebys London for 10 000 €.

Pugli experienced his artistic heyday from 1870 to 1915 in Florence. Pugi was a student at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence. He designed the bust of the Italian King Umberto I, which stands in the main square of his hometown of Fiesole and was inaugurated in September 1900.

Numerous works were produced in the large Pugi workshop, which were also commissioned by foreign buyers, including a large statue and 18 busts for the Southampton Art Museum in New York and a collection of great American statesmen commissioned by the Historical Museums in Iowa.

Pugi made a decorative marble bust around 1880 entitled Marguerite, based on the character Margarete (Gretchen) in Goethe's Faust, which is now in the sculpture collection of the Helen Foresman Spencer Museum of Art in Lawrence.

Literature: artist  lexicons by   Saur; on-line Wikipedia, Panzetta, 1994.

Inscription: signed on the backside, in the front of the base is  metal gilt plaque with memory gift inscription in French ( in English translation: ”Jules Parazols, knight of the legion of honor. 16. February 1932.  His friends”)

Technique: marble.

Measurements: high  h 24 3/4” (63 cm) , diameter round base 7 7/8” ((20 cm) 

Condition: very good.