England, published 1871, inscribed on the verso "R. Monti / sept 1871 / CERAMIC / CRYSTAL PALACE ART UNION / COPELAND / COPRYRIGHT RESERVED", mounted atop a waisted socle.

13 1/2 x 7 x 6 in.

Private Collection, Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Milanese sculptor Raffaelle Monti was trained author and poet trained by his father, sculptor Gaetano Matteo. He exhibited at the Royal Academy, and soon earned recognition as a leading sculptor with pieces such as the ‘Veiled Vestal’, ‘The Veiled Bride’, and this model of 'Love'. These would go on to become some of the most popular Parian busts ever produced. His bust of “Love” was exhibited at the International Exhibition, London 1872.

Good condition; some light surface staining; small firing hairline to verso shoulder and socle underside.