April 27, 2021 10:00 EST
American Furniture, Folk and Decorative Arts
30
Jean-Baptiste Nini (Italian, 1717-1786)
A rare terracotta portrait medallion of Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), France, 1777
Inscribed, "B. FRANKLIN AMERICAIN, " the sitter wearing a fur cap, impressed with crest, signature and date, "1777."
Dia: 4 1/2 in.
Provenance
Collection of Skyler Liechty.
Sold for $5,040
Estimated at $3,000 - $5,000
Inscribed, "B. FRANKLIN AMERICAIN, " the sitter wearing a fur cap, impressed with crest, signature and date, "1777."
Provenance
Collection of Skyler Liechty.
Note
According to Richard Margolis, there are only three known examples of this medallion. This is one of the rarest forms, and is believed to be the fourth known example.
Literature
See Storelli, A., Jean-Baptiste Nini: Sa Vie--Son Oeuvre 1717-1786 (Impr. A. Mame et fils, 1896), unlisted.
