Silla, Ltd. Busts

FILLI PUGI Italian, fl. 19th century Bust of the Capitoline Antinous after Antiquity Carved Carrara Marble signed verso “Filli Pugi Firenze” executed circa late 19th century Ite...

Lucile Leslie Swan United States, 1890-1965 Bust of a Man Lost-wax patinated bronze signed in cast "L. Leslie /33", sealed verso "A. VALSUANI cire perdue" Item # 410REP02A Cast using the lost-wax method the Valsuani foundry was renowned for perfecting, this fine modernist bust showcases loose modeling to create a chaotic surface while articulating an exactiingly realist sense of her sitter. His powerful features and stoic profile evoke a character of great seriousness. The bust is cast hollow and is raised on an early wooden plinth. Leslie Swan (born Lucile Swan, May 10, 1890, Sioux City, Iowa) was an American sculptor and painter, known for her sensitive and evocative portrayals of human figures, informed by her extensive travels and intellectual exchanges. After receiving early education at an Episcopal boarding school, she moved to Chicago in 1903 and began her studies at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1908. In 1912, she married fellow artist Jerome Blum. Over the next decade, Swan’s artistic career took her to Corsica, Japan, China, Tahiti, and France, where she immersed herself in the diverse cultures and artistic traditions she encountered. In 1924, following her divorce, Swan relocated to New York City, where she continued her work as both a painter and sculptor. Five years later, she accepted a significant commission from the Cenozoic Laboratory in Beijing, beginning a transformative period in her career. It was in China that she met the philosopher Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, and their friendship would profoundly influence her work and life. Swan's portrait bust of Teilhard, now housed at the Museum of Natural History in Paris, remains one of her most celebrated pieces. She also created a reconstruction of the Sinanthropus skull, a project supervised by German anatomist Franz Weidenreich. During her time in Beijing, Swan modeled a variety of subjects, from Western intellectuals to local Chinese figures. Her sculptures of children, Chinese jugglers, and sword dancers...

CESARE CONSTANTINO CERIBELLI Italian, 1841-1918 "Bust of a Young Woman" Polychromed and chemically patinated bronze signed to the reverse shoulder "C. Ceribelli" raised on origin...

JOSEPH MOZIER United States, 1812-1870 Bust of a Classical Young Woman (1851) Carved Cararra marble Signed to the reverse "J. MOZIER, Sc: ROME 1851" Item # 406QSO30A A stunningl...

THOMAS RIDGEWAY GOULD United States, 1818-1881 Bust of a Classical Woman (1872) Carved Cararra marble signed to the reverse "T.R. GOULD fecit / FLORENCE / 1872" Item # 407NXP09P ...

EMMANUEL VILLANIS French, fl. 1880-1920 "Tanagra" Parian porcelain bust over gilt bronze plinth raised on marble base over bronze plate signed in shoulder "E. Villanis" cast circ...

JOHN WARRINGTON WOOD British, 1839-1886 Bust of a Woman, almost certainly depicting Lady Layard (1870) Carrara marble signed to the reverse "WARRINGTON WOOD SCULPT ROMA 1870" Item # 405UGP17Q A very finely carved marble bust that almost certainly depicts Lady Layard (British, 1843-1912) at 27 years of age. While the bust is not titled, John Warrington Wood had a relationship with the family, first sculpting Lady Mary Enid Evelyn Layard's husband and cousin Henry Austin Layard the year before in London in 1869. Wood exhibited that bust at the Royal Academy in 1870 and the same year Lady Layard would have sat down with him in Rome for the completion of this bust. Interestingly, Henry Layard decided he did not like the bust that was completed of him and eventually re-commissioned Wood to complete the bust again 12 years later in 1881, that example held in the permanent collection of The National Gallery in London. The same year, John Warrington Wood executed a second bust of Lady Layard that is held in the permanent collection of the British Museum of Art (acc. no. OA.10557). It is interesting to view the painting completed by Vicente Palmaroli y González...

EUGENE AIZELIN French, 1821-1902 Bust of a Young Woman (1864) Patinated bronze raised on an original turned rouge marble base over brass rim signed on shoulder "Eug. Aizelin 1864"...

EMMANUEL VILLANIS French, fl. 1880-1920 "Bust of Thais" Cast signature to shoulder "E. Villanis" cold-stamped "3264" & "CB" with foundry cachet of "Societe des Bronzes de Paris" o...

FRENCH SCHOOL 4th qtr, 19th century Bust of Greek Warrior Patinated bronze unsigned cast circa late 19th century Item # 304KEX30P A fine casti...

EMMANUEL VILLANIS French, fl. 1880-1920 "Bust of Thais" Signed in cast along shoulder "E. Villanis" and cold stamped "1146" with foundry cachet of "Societe des Bronzes et Paris" ve...

A rare and exceptional pair of bronze busts by Eugene Laurent, both are unsigned but the pair are catalogued with signatures in Berman's reference work. The casting quality is above ...

ALFREDO PINA French, 1883-1966 Bust of a Young Man Lost-wax cast medium-brown patinated bronze over solid verde marble plinth signed in cast "A. Pina" and sealed with cachet "cire...

An exquisite and expertly cast example of Emmanuel Villanis' Diana the Huntress, it features a delightful light brown surface patination throughout th...

A finely cast and beautifully patinated bust of Julius Caesar, it likely originates from Rome circa the third quarter of the 19th century and rests over its original violet breché ma...