Italy, first half of the 19th century, after the Antique

Probably in the collection of the sculptor Francesco Pozzi (circa 1790-1844), Florence;

Acquired in 1844 from Pietro Becucci Vichiaro, Florence;

Thence in the same family by descent, Belgian noble collection.

In a 19th-century handwritten family inventory, the following note appears:

“un marbre de Vénus monté sur socle, acheté à M. Pietro Becucci, maître d’albâtres, via Maggio n. 187 à Florence ; provient du célèbre sculpteur Pozzi. Monsieur Migliorini, directeur des Antiquités aux Uffizi, juge ce buste de l’époque de la Vénus de Médici et du groupe des trois Grâces à Sienne ; le sculpteur Pampalone trouve que les yeux, la bouche, le cou, la chevelure sont d’une admirable beauté (prix 16 napoléons)“ (marble Venus mounted on a pedestal, purchased from Mr. Pietro Becucci, master of alabasters, via Maggio no. 187, Florence; originating from the celebrated sculptor Pozzi. Mr. Migliorini, Director of Antiquities at the Uffizi, considers this bust to date from the same period as the Medici Venus and the group of the Three Graces in Siena; the sculptor Pampalone finds the eyes, mouth, neck, and hair to be of admirable beauty (price: 16 napoleons)).