Vintage Italian Carved Alabaster Female Bust

This is a truly elegant and evocative piece of decorative sculpture, a finely carved antique bust that captures the soft, melancholic beauty characteristic of 19th-century European statuary. The subject is a young female figure with a serene, introspective, and pensive expression, featuring delicate and classically-inspired features. The overall impression is one of gentle solemnity and timeless grace.

The bust is carved from natural Italian alabaster, displaying beautiful variations in color that enhance its artistry. The face and neck are rendered in a creamy white, which provides a striking contrast with the dramatic rose and pink hues of the flowing drapery around her shoulders. The sculptor masterfully utilized the stone's inherent characteristics, including prominent dark grey and black natural veining, to highlight the folds of the fabric around the chest, giving the garment a rich, almost textured appearance. Her hair is styled in soft curls and partially covered by a wrapped cap or snood, adding to her classical appeal. The bust sits on its original, separate rectangular marble base with chamfered edges, which is typical of high-quality Italian Grand Tour-style pieces.

This piece carries a wonderful history, having been sourced by the original owner in Italy during the mid-20th century, likely between the 1940s and 1960s. While the sculptural style places the carving's creation in the 19th century—typical of the prolific output from Florentine and other Italian carving studios—this direct mid-century Italian provenance speaks to its authenticity and the discerning eye of its original collector.

The bust is in good vintage to antique condition, commensurate with its age and material. As is common for natural alabaster, the piece displays inherent characteristics of the stone, including natural veins, fissures, and subtle color variations that ultimately enhance its unique character. This unsigned bust is a beautiful, substantial work of art that will bring the elegance and romance of European sculpture to your home, making a striking statement on a mantle or console table.

Disclosures: Discoloration in places and most notable at left side of neck. There is minor surface wear, knicks, and scratching to the bust surface and base (see listing photos closely).