An Italian biscuit porcelain figure of the Flora Farnese, circa 1790, probably Volpato

This figure is a biscuit reproduction of the marble statue known as the Flora Farnese, a prototype discovered in the 16th century—traditionally said to have been found together with the Hercules Farnese in the Baths of Caracalla. It was displayed in the courtyard of the Farnese Palace until 1787, when it was transferred to the workshop of the sculptor Carlo Albacini for restoration. By 1800 it was in Naples, where the restoration was undertaken by Filippo Tagliolini. Owing to its colossal scale, the Flora Farnese quickly became one of the most popular subjects for small-scale replicas, particularly in bronze but above all in biscuit. Versions were made at the Real Fabbrica Ferdinandea factory in Naples, at Doccia in Florence and at Volpato in Rome. Tagliolini’s Naples examples and those made at the Volpato manufactory are distinguished by the sensitivity and refinement of their execution. Two Doccia examples are in the Palazzo Pitti, Florence, inv. nos. AcE 140, 689-690; a Volpato example is in the Museo di Roma, inv. no.MR 41379 and a Real Fabbrica Ferdinandea is illustrated in Civilità del '700 Napoli 1734-1799, exhibition catalogue, vol. 2, p. 147-148, no.385; another Naples example was sold by Sotheby's, Milan, 26 September 2025, lot 388.