A Copeland Parian bust of The Bride

A Copeland Parian bust of The Bride from the marble original by the Italian sculptor Raffaele Monti.

This fine bust is one of the most sought-after Parian pieces. It is a copy of the head of the marble statue of a vestal virgin sculpted for the Duke of Devonshire and known at the “Statue Voilée”, the veiled statue. The marble is on display at Chatsworth House. According to Robert Copeland, some regarded the statue as a splendid work of art while others thought it mere technical trickery.

The bust is marked R Monti 1861 Ceramic and Crystal Palace Art Union, Copeland. The bust is illustrated in “The Parian Phenomenon” page 180 figure 586 and in Copeland’s “Parian: Copeland’s Statuary Porcelain” page 201.

Raffaele Monti (1818–1881) was a sculptor, author and poet from Milan who settled in England while still a young man. Monti later made a companion bust “The Mother” showing mother and baby which was also made in Parian by Copeland (see our sold items for an example).

Height 38cm (15”)

Condition: Very good. There are two small chips to the front of the wreath, circled in photograph, and some minor firing lines.  The Bride in this good condition is rarely available.