A large Italian carved giallo antico tazza, attributed to Benedetto Boschetti, Rome, mid 19th century

This impressive tazza is related to the work of Benedetto Boschetti, established in Rome circa 1820 on Via Condotti, on the basis of close comparisons with Boschetti’s signed and attributed works which share the same style and quality as the present. Key characteristics of Boschetti's work then catering to the demand of Grand Tourists include meticulously carved stones, the shape of the tazza, thin reliefs and key neoclassical decorative elements such as masks, egg and dart friezes, and gadroons.

Whilst Boschetti and his workshop used the same designs on several occasions (as a result of their success), a wide variety of coloured stones was used. For example, an example in rosso antico after the same model as the present and also in the manner of Boschetti was sold at Christie’s London, 2 February 2012, lot 171.

While Benedetto Boschetti is to date not well documented, he is listed in 1856, by Bonfigli in the Artistical Directory or Guide to the Studios of The Italian and Foreign Painters and Sculptors, Rome, 1856, which stated, 'The Establishment is particularly conspicuous for its great variety of marble works, bronzes, candelabras, table tops, ets. besides a rich collection of the best mosaics and shell engravings' and Boschetti had 'attained the Prize Medal at the Exhibition in London'. Boschetti is also mentioned in the 1858, 1867 and 1869 editions of Murray's Handbook, p.XXVI, sec. 36.

Known works by the present maker and signed 'B. Boschetti' include a carved giallo antico oil lamp in the collections of the Mario Praz Fondation in Rome (ill. Alvar Gonzalez-Palacios, Il Tempio del Gusto, Milan, 1984, Vol. II, p.131, fig.287); a reduction in rosso antico marble of the Warwick vase in the Toledo Museum of Art in Ohio (inv. 1969.87A-B); a bronze copy of the famous relief of Antinous in the Villa Albani which appeared in a sale in Florence in 1974; and a table after an antique model from the Villa d'Isis in Pompeii sold at Christie’s London, Glin Castle, 7 May 2009, lot 113. A highly important micromosaic table top signed B. Boschetti, dated 1829, the top with the inventory marks of Isabelle de Montpensier, the Comtesse de Paris was sold at Sotheby’s London, 13 December 1996, lot 250.