After Giambologna, called Giovanni da Bologna or Jean Boulogne (Italian, 1529-1608): A pair of i...

After Giambologna, called Giovanni da Bologna or Jean Boulogne (Italian, 1529-1608): A pair of impressive monumental patinated bronze figures of Mercury and Fortuna Probably first half 20th century Mercury supported by a gust of wind issuing from the mouth of Boreas, holding his caduceus, Fortuna with loose coiffure and diadem, holding a laurel frond standing on her wheel, the near life size figures raised on cylindrical marble plinths with relief cast friezes depicting putti, together with a pair of later wooden stands, the figures 288cm high, 80cm wide, 60cm deep overall (4) Footnotes: Provenance By Repute: Stoke Park, Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire The figures possibly acquired to enhance the grounds sometime in the early 20th century after the golf course was created and the main house converted to a club house. The history of the Stoke Park estate in Buckinghamshire dates back to the time of the Domesday Book. However, whilst the listed mansion and its associated estate buildings were designed by James Wyatt, architect to George III between 1790 to 1813, the parkland with its lakes, gardens and monuments were designed by two of the most famous landscape architect of the day, Lancelot 'Capability' Brown and Humphry Repton. The house and ground were used as a private sporting estate until 1908 when its new owner Nick 'Pa' Lane Jackson, who was founder of the Corinthian Sporting Club (Corinthian F.C.) converted it into one of the first country golf clubs in the UK, commissioning the famous amateur golfer and course architect Harry Colt to design the course and convert the historic mansion into a club house. Stoke Park has served as the filming location for several major films, including James Bond's 'Goldfinger' and 'Tomorrow Never Dies' and it also hosts the annual Boodles Tennis Championships prior to Wimbledon. Giambologna executed the original Mercury in 1580, although records indicate that earlier versions were created some years before. His initial inspiration may have come from the frescoes of Raphael in the Loggia of Psyche in the Villa Farnesina, Rome. Although painted, Raphael's figures have a sculptural quality as they float through the air; and perhaps Giambologna envisaged this painted airborne Mercury coming to life in the round with only minimal support in the form of a hidden base. This concept of transforming the painterly figure into the solid sculptural round was materialised in the life size bronze of Mercury, who appears to literally float on air. Giambologna sent the original piece from Florence to the Villa Medici in Rome to join Cardinal Ferdinando's collection, and it is now in the Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence. Related Literature Giambologna, C. Avery, Phaidon, 1993. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: TP TP For auctions held in Scotland: Lots will be moved to an offsite storage location (Constantine, Constantine House, North Caldeen Road, Coatbridge ML5 4EF, Scotland, UK) and will only be available for collection from this location at the date stated in the catalogue. Please refer to the catalogue for further information. For all other auctions: Lots will be moved to an offsite storage location (Cadogan Tate, Auction House Services, 241 Acton Lane, London NW10 7NP, UK) and will only be available for collection from this location at the date stated in the catalogue. Please note transfer and storage charges will apply to any lots not collected after 14 calendar days from the auction date. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing