Lot 159: A Neapolitan bronze model of Narcissus

After the Antique, circa 1900 The base inscribed S. Errico, Napoli 241/2in. (62cm.) high NOTES The original sculpture currently forms part of the collection in the Museo Nazionale, having been transferred there shortly after its discovery in a humble Pompeian house in 1862. It is regarded as the last great sculpture of antiquity to be discovered. Bronzes such as this were widely copied in Naples by various foundries. The bronze is listed as No. 1, in the Neapolitan foundry of J. Chiurazzi & Fils catalogue of 1900. The firm of Chiurazzi manufactured copies of antiquities from Herculaneum and Pompeii. In a book sponsored by the firm, Luigi Conforti, secretary of the Naples Museum describes the bronze ''... inique par sa merveilleuse beaut‚''.