Neapolitan Royal Guardsman with Rare Costume

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22" (56 cm.) Polychromed terra cotta shoulderhead depicting a strong-faced brown-complexioned Royal Guardsman, angular features with well-defined cheek and jaw bones, strong nose, lips modeled apart with row of teeth, well-defined shoulderblades, bald pate except tuft of hair at crown, tow-wrapped posable armature body, carved wooden lower arms and legs, painted leggings with button sides and carton upper rims, brown shoes, wearing original costume of cream kidskin under pressed-carton armor with silver-metal finish and gold accents including figural face at center of front panel, carton brimmed helmet with gilded accent. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Neapolitan, mid-1700s, although unattributed the artistry of sculpting, larger size, and superb costume indicate its creation by a prestige artist of the era. Value Points: outstanding sculpting and painting on the rare well-preserved figure.