Pacing Stallion & Standing Bull Reliefs

These two reliefs, which are cast in lacquered brass to resemble gilded bronze, were modelled by Francesco Fanelli. Not much is known about his beginnings, but it is usually believed that by birth he was Florentine, and certainly these reliefs depend on the familiar Giambologna/Tacca/Susini free standing prototypes. It appears that he may have been in England by 1631. Certainly by 1635 he was working for King Charles I. His most ambitious works were the Monument to Sir Robert Ayton in Westminster Abbey, and the Diana Fountain at Bushey Park that was formerly in the Privy Garden at Hampton Court.