Lot 223: Cesare Fantacchiotti Bust portrait of Sara Spence

Cesare Fantacchiotti Bust portrait of Sara Spence signed titled and inscribed "Firenze" 1870 on an octagonal socle 65cms, (25½") overall Footnote: Sara Spence was the second wife of William Blundell Spence, (1814-1900). Spence came into a considerable inheritance which enabled him to purchase the Villa Medici in Flesole in 1860. Spence came to be known as one of the 'Lions of Florence'. Described as eccentric and unconventional Spence came to prominence as a Marchard amateur, negotiating important sales of Florentine Renaissance art and artifacts to the South Kensington Museum and the National Gallery. He was also influential in the development of the Museo Nazionale at the Bargello in Florence. See John Fleming "Art Dealing in the Risorgimento" Part III, The Burlington Magazine Vol. 121, No. 918 (Sept 1979) pp.568 to 580. ADD TO THIS