An eye for opportunity has turned a humble find into a potential small fortune for a man in southwest England. Initially purchased for around £400 at a salvage yard, a seemingly ordinary statue has been identified as a rare marble work depicting Pope Clement XII Corsini, crafted by the renowned sculptor Pietro Bracci in 1736. The statue is now set to go under the hammer with estimates suggesting it could fetch between £6,600 to £13,000.
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The artist Pietro Bracci is perhaps best known for his striking figure of Oceanus at the Trevi Fountain in Rome. The marble statue found by the man, measuring approximately 2 feet in height, was initially misidentified as a concrete piece by the salvage yard’s owners. However, its true significance was uncovered during a valuation at the auction house Woolley & Wallis.
Mark Yuan Richards, a furniture specialist at the auction house, highlighted the statue’s historical importance, stating it is believed to be the only surviving model, or maquette, for a bronze statue of Pope Clement XII, which was melted down during the upheaval of the First Republic in 1798. Prior to this discovery, the only known representation of the original bronze was an engraving by artists Stefano and Rocco Pozzi.
The newfound statue has an intriguing history. Before ending up in the salvage yard, it was reportedly located in a garden in Hampshire. The details of its journey from Bracci’s studio to England remain unclear, leading Richards to speculate about its possible origins. He suggested it may have been acquired by a British nobleman during the Grand Tour of the 18th century, or perhaps it was a diplomatic gift linked to the papacy.
Richards remarked on the excitement surrounding the auction, saying, “This is an exceptionally exciting discovery.” He added that the rarity of such marble figures from the 18th century makes this a remarkable opportunity for collectors and art enthusiasts alike. Bracci’s works, after all, are seldom seen on the open market.
The auction is scheduled for Monday, 8 October, as part of Woolley & Wallis’ Fine Furniture and Collections event. The attention surrounding the statue has generated significant international interest among collectors, making valuation challenging. Richards noted that views on the piece are varied, as the availability of works by Bracci is so rare that estimating their worth can be complicated.
Although the man who discovered the statue is not a professional dealer, his serendipitous find has brought him into the spotlight of the art world, illustrating how valuable treasures can sometimes be hidden in plain sight. This tale serves as a reminder of the rich histories that can reside within overlooked objects, waiting for the right person to illuminate their true significance.
As the auction approaches, anticipation continues to build. The marble depiction of Pope Clement XII Corsini is not only a testament to the craftsmanship of Pietro Bracci but also a significant piece of history that connects the past with the present in ways that may yet unfold as new bidders emerge.
Collectors and historians alike will be watching closely as this piece goes up for auction, excited by the prospect of owning a unique work of art that has traversed centuries and continents. Whether it will reach the upper limits of its valuation remains to be seen, but the journey of this statue from salvage yard to potential auction success is a captivating story in its own right.