• Fragments of a Magnificent Past

    Fragments of a Magnificent Past

    “The present collection of ancient sculptures and works of art explores the idea and value of “fragments” through the centuries, revolving around the consideration of fragment as a whole, a complete artwork of exceptional skill and quality, but at the same time as a testimony to a magnificent past.

    The featured sculptures share the common characteristic that, for various reasons, they have not reached us in a complete state. The artworks delve into themes such as conservation, ancient restorations, and illustrious origins. They are self-sufficient, with their exceptional quality, and also tell a story of cultural reconstruction.

     

    The taste for collecting fragments and the aesthetics of incompleteness are relatively modern concepts. During the Renaissance, it was almost resented that sculptures were somehow fragmented, and both sculptors and restorers rarely hesitated to compensate for what was missing. A few centuries later, starting from the early Romantic period, an enchantment and fascination for the ruins of the ancient classical world emerged, and the general taste began to exalt the beauty of the fragment, accentuated by the patina of time, allowing reflections on the transience of life. Through the twentieth and twenty- first centuries, things have changed even more exponentially, and the taste for fragments has further increased. For the modern individual, fragments are fascinating perhaps because we are accustomed to a fractured and rapid view, close-up details: an eye, a nose, a mouth captured with a wide angle, emphasized, enlarged, a head glimpsed in the rearview mirror.

     

    The idea of the “fragment” becomes an inspiration to present a collection of sculptures where the themes of memory and cyclicality merge, revolving around the reference to antiquity and classicism. The sculptures thus become an opportunity to establish a dialogue between their present and their past, where illustrious stories of origin merge with identity and preservation. The intrinsic identity of each artwork has evolved over the centuries, and these works offer the opportunity to engage in a profoundconversation about history, aesthetics, origin, and artistic mastery.

     

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  • HABITAT II

    HABITAT II

    Habitat II transports us to a serene interior, a refuge from the outside world, created by the studio of one of the seminal Italian masters of 20th Century design: Carlo Scarpa. The predominance of wood and the warmth of the earthy tones create an oasis of calm, enclosed by walls that take both traditional and unexpected shapes. 
     
    With the utmost sense of reverence towards the work of the great designer we have placed our sculptures and works of art within this welcoming environment, paying particular attention to the interaction of the artworks with each particular corner of the house. The materials create unusual juxtapositions with those of the artworks, amongst them objects in gilded wood, bronze, porphyry, and marble. The meeting between these two worlds can be at first challenging to the eye, but the moments of both balance and counterpoint are highly pleasurable to observe.
     
    This ‘Scarpian Habitat’ was the warmest host to our new collection of Ancient Art, European sculptures and Works of art, which were completely embraced in the elegance and serenity of the house. A mutually activating relationship developed between interior and object, which we were delighted to witness.
     
    We have been deeply and personally inspired by the opportunity to present our works in this exquisite setting, and hope you will enjoy the wonderful interplay between our new collection and this habitat.

     

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  • Bacchus & Ariadne by Giuseppe Piamontini, with text by Charles Avery

    Bacchus & Ariadne by Giuseppe Piamontini

    with text by Charles Avery 26 March - 3 April 2022

    Our current catalogue shines a spotlight on the fascinating early 18th century terracotta sculpture of Bacchus and Ariadne attributed to the Florentine sculptor Giuseppe Piamontini. In this booklet, renowned art historian Charles Avery discusses this sculpture in great detail and compares it to similar pieces which can be found in museum collections. 

     

    This terracotta sculpture is thought to be a preparatory piece for a bronze version of the same subject by Piamontini, which is part of the permanent collection of the J. Paul Getty Museum.

     

    Click the link below to discover this publication in its entirety.

     

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  • HABITAT

    HABITAT

    For our new catalogue we have decided to explore the habitats in which art objects find their homes. We believe that the curation of ancient sculptures and works of art within domestic interiors plays a vital role in activating the object and its space, sparking a fascinating dialogue between the two.

     

    The relationship between art and space is one of intrinsic reciprocity. As Germano Celant wrote: "Art creates a space, to the same extent that the environment creates art". Art has the power to animate a space, while a space endows art with new meaning. This relationship has many expressions: the curation of objects within a given context can create a sense of harmony but can also draw out striking contrasts and juxtapositions. A conversation is fostered - the objects sing to their surroundings, which in turn echo back to the artworks.

     

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  • Preludio

    Entitled ‘Preludio’, our first catalogue offers a prelude to our approach and expertise: presenting artworks of an exceptional calibre, supported by extensive provenance research and a special attention to detail. 

    For this collection we have drawn together a trove of exquisite smaller scale works, each unique in their quality and outstanding workmanship. The artworks, though small in stature, more than make up for it in their beauty. The selection includes rare treasures from antiquity, complimented by fine examples from the Renaissance. 
    Sculpture is the most tactile of all the media, and these little works are delightfully tempting. They range in size, with some of the pieces in this selection small enough to fit in the palm of a hand. The intimate scale of the artworks rewards close examination – each displays beautiful, minutely crafted details.

     

    English PDF         Italian PDF          Viewing Room

    Preludio