Description
Lorenzo Bartolini 1777-1850
Born in Tuscany and studied in Florence and at the Officina Inghirami in Volterra, a workshop established in 1791 which produced alabaster sculpture and objects in the neoclassical style. In 1797 Bartolini moved to Paris, where he became a close friend of Ingres and the favoured sculptor of Napoléon, who sent him to Carrara in 1807 to direct the Academy of Sculpture. Later he settled in Florence, where his Grand Tour patrons included Thomas Hope and the 6th Duke of Devonshire.
Another marble tazza of this identical model stands in the Chatsworth House Sculpture Hall. Originally there were two, as documented in the attached 19th-century photographs and in the Duke’s personal journal. This, we are confident, given the sheer complexity of its creation, that this is the smaller of the two, commissioned by William Cavendish, The 6th Duke of Devonshire on his Grand Tour.
Chatsworth House, Sculpture Hall – Now with the one remaining Lorenzo Bartolini Tazza
Two tazze can be seen hidden on the left hand side, next to the columns with marble balls. Photo circa 1900
Lorenzo Bartolini Tazza, detail of the carved snake handles. Carved as a single piece.
Chatsworth House, Sculpture Hall – Showing two Bartolini snake handled Tazze in situ. Photo circa 1876
Close up, the 6th Duke of Devonshire’s Grand Tour sculpture collection today, faithful to the 19th century display
Close up, two Lorenzo Bartolini tazze in their original position. Chatsworth House, Sculpture Hall, photo circa 1876
