AFFORTUNATO GORY (ITALIAN, FL. 1895-1925)

Born in Florence, Affortunato Gory initially studied at the city's Accademia di Belle Arti under Augusto Rivalta. Settling in Paris at the beginning of the 20th century, he completed his training under Victorien-Antoine Bastet, before going on to exhibit at the Salon until the start of the First World War. An exponent of chryselephantine sculpture, Gory used varying combinations of marble, ivory, gilt and patinated bronze. Given that he specialised predominantly in busts and statuettes of young women; the present choice of subject is rare. Another statue of the same subject and size, signed 'A. Gory' sold Christie's London, 2 July 2008, lot 70 (£32,450, with premium)