Pair of bronze busts of Othello and Desdemona by Garella

By Garella, Antonio Giuseppe (Italian, 1863-1919)

£95,000

These exceptional antique busts are highly unusual for their Shakespearean subject matter, depicting the tragic fictional lovers Othello and Desdemona.

 

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Description

Of mid brown patina with gilt highlights, the figures each signed 'A. Garella' and dated '1887', and with the foundry inscription 'Flli Galli / Firenze', Desdemona also inscribed 'Propriet... F[...] Lapini'.

The two busts depicting protagonists from William Shakespeare's famous play, 'Othello'. In this, the courageous Venetian soldier Othello elopes with the beautiful Desdemona, a noblewoman many years his junior. When Othello is later tricked into believing Desdemona has been unfaithful, he murders his loving wife, only to later discover her innocence. Wracked with guilt and regret, Othello then takes his own life. This unique pair of busts depicts Othello and Desdemona as tender companions, unaware of the tragedy that will befall them.

Male bust: height 92 cm; width 70 cm; depth 55 cm

Female bust: height 88 cm, width 60 cm; depth 40 cm

Pedestal heights: 151 cm

Details

Artist / Maker
By Garella, Antonio Giuseppe (Italian, 1863-1919)
Country of Origin
Italian
Date of Manufacture
1887
Period
Late 19th Century
Style
Figurative Art
Material
Ormolu (Gilt Bronze), Patinated Bronze
Colour
Brown, Gold

Dimensions

Height
92 cm / 36.2 inches
Width
70 cm / 27.6 inches
Depth
55 cm / 21.7 inches

Reference:
014607

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