Neapolitan Aged Woman with Green Snood

Live Auction

12" (30 cm.) Polychromed terra cotta head of aged woman, darkened complexion and incised age lines, painted green snood with red edging which encloses her hair, enamel eyes, sculpted ears, gap-toothed open mouth, two large goiters at throat, tow-wrapped posable armature body, carved wooden lower arms and legs, silk and velvet folklore costume. Very good condition, some rubs on back side of snood, some costume dustiness. Neapolitan, mid-1700s, a notable feature of the Neapolitan scene was the presentation of people with various ailments in order to have a true presentation of life; the examples such as this woman are quite rare.