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ST1410
A fine and important beautifully weathered antique English composition stone figure of the Capitoline Flora after the statue of Flora in the Capitoline Museum in Rome, by the famous London sculptors "Austin and Seeley". Flora was a much loved Greek and Roman goddess of flowers and the season of Spring, and is a popular classical figure, although it has rarely been modeled on this scale. From a Stately Home in England, mid-19th century. Restored. Antique pedestal not included (see Pedestals for details).
Felix Austin, a sculptor, started manufacturing in composition stone around the late 1820's in London. Sometime between 1836 and 1843, Austin went into partnership with another sculptor, John Seeley. The quality of their composition stone is excellent and is often mistaken for natural stone.
Austin and Seeley modeled most of their own pieces, for both of them were sculptors. They exhibited at the Great Exhibition of London in 1851. Examples of their work can be seen on the grounds of many Palaces and Stately Homes throughout Britain. They are believed to have continued production of their pieces until 1872. See the interesting article on the firm in John Davies's book "Antique Garden Ornament" [Antique Collectors Club, Woodbridge, Suffolk. 1991].
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