Charles Francis Summers Australian, 1858-1945

Carrara marble, signed C.F. SUMMERS/ ROME. 1889, on original revolving fluted marble pedestal

By repute, the former property of Mr. Charles E. Tilton (1827-1901) at Tilton Mansion, New Hampshire.

Private collection, New Hampshire, acquired at auction in the 1930s.

Overall fine condition and presentation. The little finger and the tip of the middle finger of cupid's left hand has been reattached, with no overpainting. Both of these are only visible to the naked eye upon very close inspection. There is some dust-soiling in the recesses, particularly in the petals and leaves behind the figures. The surface is very good, shows no signs of having been outside at all. The revolving pedestal is in good condition and appears to be original. Overall the sculpture is in near excellent condition and presents very well.
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.

Charles F. Summers was the son of English sculptor Charles Summers (1825-1878). Having been diagnosed with suspected tuberculosis at the age of twenty seven, Charles Summers sailed to Melbourne and for the next decade was the most successful sculptor in colonial Australia. His son, Charles F. Summers, was born in Richmond, Victoria in 1857 or 1858. Charles Summers returned to England in 1867, then moved to Rome to establish a studio, where he was joined by his son in 1869. Charles Summers died in 1878 and is buried in Rome; his son continued to live and work there for 30 years, studying first under Professors Seitz and Chelli, and then working closely with the Italian sculptors G. B. Lombardi and G. M. Benzoni. An example of a notable work carved by C. F. Summers after a design by Benzoni, The Flight from Pompeii, is located in the Statuary house of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, Victoria, Australia. During his long career, C. F. Summer's took commissions from the United States, Russia, Finland, and elsewhere in Europe, as well as from the Siamese Royal family. Another example of this sculpture, designed and carved by Summers, can be found at the Rotorua Museum and Art Gallery, New Zealand (OP-2954), one of eleven works by the artist there and and thus the largest known holding of C.F. Summers' works in the world. Charles F. Summers' is arguably the first noteworthy Australian-born sculptor, though his works rarely appear at auction. Another work by the sculptor, after the Antique and in weathered condition, was sold Christie's Melbourne, 17-18 September 2002, lot 23 ($99,875 including premium).