After Ferdinando Tacca (Italian, 1619-1686), a pair of Italian patinated bronze models of musician putti, 19th century, seated and modelled opposing, each holding a scroll of sheet music, mounted to triform ebonised bases, 35cm and 42.5cm high overall The present models with their distinctive shoulder-length locks and expressive faces are usually attributed to Tacca, as they bear a strong resemblance to the pair of shield-bearing putti by the sculptor in the collection of the Getty Museum, Los Angeles, which he made for the church of Santo Stefano al Ponte Vecchio in Florence in 1650. Casts of the present model, given an earlier date, were sold at Sotheby's New York, 26 January 2006, lot 451 ($11,400). Further literature: Fogelman, Fusco and Cambareri, Italian and Spanish Sculpture, Catalogue of the J. Paul Getty Museum Collection, Los Angeles, 2002, no. 27, pp. 217-223. Condition Report: Minor marks, knocks and scuffs overall consistent with age and use. The patina is a rich dark brown with lighter areas to the extremities. One of the putti has a break to the extended finger on the right hand, and a possible repair to one of the feet. The other has a restoration to the rear of the raised left arm. The surfaces have some minor casting inconsistencies and one or two small plugs overall, consistent with their manufacture. Minor nibbling and wear to paint on bases. Condition Report Disclaimer