Lot 240: Attributed to Luigi Bienaimé, Italian (1795-1878) An early 19th century carved Carrara marble bust of a girl on a Blue John veneered plinth

depicted all'antica, her hair in tight curls to the front and in an elaborate coiffure to the back, raised on a stepped plinth base of Blue John, white marble and black slate, 52cm high

This work stylistically has much in common with Luigi Bienaimé's oeuvre. In particular note the characterful face, the treatment of the hair and the well defined eyes that are all similar to Bienaimés bust of Caroline Lysley. This was sold at Sotheby's New York, January 26, 2000, lot 92. The bust of Caroline Lysley was commissioned by her husband William John Lysley whilst on the Grand Tour, together with a bust of himself. The present piece could well have been picked up whilst on the Grand Tour in Italy and then brought back to England to have the Derbyshire Blue John plinth added.