A pair of Sicilian faience figure groups circa 1800

Fabricca Malvica, modeled by Josf. Sebastiani after Louis Leopold Boilly, comprising: 'La Douce Impression del' Harmonie'  modeled with a lady playing a guitar for a young gentleman; and 'Suite de la Douce Impression del' Harmonie', modeled with the young man embracing his female companion, her music stand fallen to the floor beside them, incised titles and Fabri B. Malv. and Josf. Sebastiani Sculpt. Some minor restoration.

Both groups with tiny abrasions to the glaze in prominent places, along molded edges, characteristic of this type of pottery. They also appear to have had firing problems across their bases, and how much has been restored is difficult to know. 'La Douce Impression de l'Harmonie" – The man's right boot toe and the lady's right shoe toe restored. The neck of the guitar with a crack through its join to the instrument; the music stand with some restoration, and the score restored. The underside of the base has five major cracks, but it is difficult to tell whether these were actually breaks; they have all been restored and overpainted. Probably the crack at the end with the music stand is a break, running through the footstool, which shows considerable overpaint. Her dress with some hair cracks. Her end of the base with a ¾-inch (2-cm.) footrim chip, which has been overpainte but not filled. "Suite de la Douce Impression de l'Harmonie" – The top 1 ½ inches (4-cm.) of the guitar neck restored and missing one key, and her left forefinger restored. Her dress with a large crack running from knee-height at the back, under the front of the chair, with a spur-crack up to her left hip, and continuing around behind the guitar to her right ankle an back up to her right knee. The chair with a prominent glaze chip on the back of each ball finial; and its back right leg with a crack through the top, and possibly the whole leg has been reattached. Her left hair bow chipped. His right knee bows with five tips chipped. This group probably was in halgf through the front between the "de" an "la", though his right foot (the toe is restored) an then to the back. The overturned music stand missing its upper leg and possibly broken through the central stem. There are chips all along the footrim at the back. Her right hand restored, and the upper side of his left elbow with a ¼-inch (6-mm.) glaze chip.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

For a discussion of the Fabbrica Malvica in Palermo, and examples of other figure groups produced by the factory, see Vincenzo Abbate et al, Terzo fuoco a Palermo 1760-1825, pp. 51-70 and pp. 188-198.

The subjects are taken from engravings by Louis Leopold Boilly (1761-1845), which in turn derive from his earlier paintings.