Live Auction 1526The English Collector
A MARBLE HALF-LENGTH BUST OF MERCURY
Lot 1026

A MARBLE HALF-LENGTH BUST OF MERCURY

ITALIAN, THE TORSO 17TH CENTURY, THE HEAD 17TH OR 18TH CENTURY

Closed22 May 2014

Price Realised

GBP 6,250

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A MARBLE HALF-LENGTH BUST OF MERCURY
ITALIAN, THE TORSO 17TH CENTURY, THE HEAD 17TH OR 18TH CENTURY
18 in. (46.2 cm.) high

Probably Francis Greville, 1st Earl of Warwick (1719-1773) or his son, George Greville, 2nd Earl of Warwick (1746-1816), and by descent at Warwick Castle, until sold at;
The Syon House sale, Sotheby's, 14-16 May 1997, lot 5, where acquired.

Specialist note

Purchased from the sale of the contents of Warwick Castle in 1997, this half-length bust was probably originally acquired in Italy by either Francis or George Greville, the first and second Earls of Warwick. When fifteen Francis Grevillle embarked on a Grand Tour lasting five years where he greatly added to the family collection. His eldest son, George, inherited in 1773, and was an avid, if financially reckless, collector. A Fellow of the Royal Society he purchased Old Master Paintings, boulle furniture and major works of art, including the famous Warwick vase.