Wilhelm Von Gloeden, Albumen print - Two 'Taormina' Photographers' Stamps Verso

Standing on an angular base resting his left knee on the open jaws of a fish, his left arm holding the jaws open, the body and tail held upright be the raised right hand (partly absent); with heavy sulphured patina. 20.75 kg, 48 cm



Acquired prior to 1970. From the estate of a Swiss gentleman, Ticino. Private collection, Zurich, Switzerland. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12790-240308.

In ancient Roman art and architecture, fountains were often decorated with sculptures of young boys or putti holding fish. These sculptures were known as 'putti with fish' or 'boy with fish' and were a popular motif in the decoration of fountains. The young boy or putto was shown holding a fish or a shell, which would spout water into the fountain basin below. The fish was a particularly popular motif because it symbolised abundance, fertility, and prosperity, which were all important values in ancient Roman society. Overall, the putti with fish sculptures are a notable example of the art and architecture of ancient Rome and have continued to be an enduring symbol of beauty, abundance, and prosperity throughout the centuries. Archaeological excavations in Pompeii have revealed many examples of sculptures of putti with fish. The putti with fish sculptures from Pompeii were usually made of bronze, marble, or terracotta. They were often placed in the centre of the fountain, surrounded by other decorative elements such as flowers, plants, and other sculptures. Many of these putti with fish sculptures are now on display in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples. The museum also houses a famous mosaic of a putto with a fish, which was discovered in the House of the Faun in Pompeii. The putti with fish sculptures from Pompeii and those in the Naples Museum provide valuable insights into the art and culture of ancient Rome. They demonstrate the importance of beauty and abundance in ancient Roman society and offer a glimpse into the everyday life of the people who lived in Pompeii over two thousand years ago. In the 17th and 18th centuries these sculptures were imitated and used to decorate the fountains of royal palaces and palaces.

Modelled standing and holding a bulbous spouted container in his extended hands, stylised head with projecting ears and open mouth; repaired. 1.92 kg, 30 cm



Private collection of Dr Alvin M. Soffe (c.1922-1995) and Elizabeth Ann Soffe, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, acquired circa 1960s-1970s, thence by descent. Accompanied by a copy of a letter no.S00256668 from the Art Loss Register confirming that this item was not found on their database.

Card slipcase with printed engraving of an urn amid rustic ruins with legend 'Vedute di Roma disegnate ed incise da Giambattista Piranesi Architetto Vi Iano'; card-mounted prints comprising: church tower and square 'Roma La Chiesa di Santi Giovanni e Paolo / Disignato di Antonio Carbonati'and with handwritten dedication above 'To Mr. John Alexis Alexander With my best wishes, Rome 16.xii.1952 S[alvatore] Rebecchini, Mayor of Rome'; Trevi fountain with legend 'Veduta della Fontana di Trevi anticamente detta l'Acqua Veraine'; section of wall and tower with legend 'Veduta del lato posteriore del Mauseleo di Cecilia Metella....'; Colosseum with legend 'Veduta dell' Amfiteatro Flavio detto il Colosseo....'; prospect of the Vatican and foreground with egend 'Veduta dell'insigne Basilica Vaticana coll'ampio Portico e Piazza Adjacente...'; view of the fountain and monument in the Piaza navona with legend 'Veduta di Piazza navonasopre le rovine del Circo Aganate'; ruined temple with legend 'Veduta del Tempio detto della Concordia'; Arch of Constantine with legend 'Veduta dell'Arco di Costantino'; interior of St.Peter's basilca with legend 'Veduta interna della Basilica di S.Petro in Vaticano'; church of Santa maria with legend 'Veduta della Facciata di dietro della Basilica di S. Maria Maggiore'; bridge and castle with legend 'Veduta del Ponte e Castello Sant'Angelo'. 710 grams total, 49.5 x 35 cm



Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a Harwich, UK, collector.