Baron Carlo Marochetti

Christie's London 13 April 1983, lot 199;

private collection

This beautifully finished bronze is a reduction of Marochetti's 1844 monument to Wellington in Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow. The award of the commission to the Italian-born French sculptor Carlo Marochetti was controversial, given that the sculptor had unsuccessfully submitted designs for Napoleon's tomb destined for Les Invalides. Only two other casts have appeared on the market (according to our records): in these rooms on 30 March 1990, lot 56, and at Christie's on 25 September 1991, lot 108. This would suggest that the present bronze is one of only a handful, made either as a limited run for a select clientele, or, perhaps, as part of an edition which was never fully exploited. The present bronze is distinguished by its smart black marble base.