Autumn
Category
Art / Sculpture
Date
Unknown
Materials
Parian
Collection
Hughenden, Buckinghamshire
NT 429120.3
Summary
A biscuit (unglazed) porcelain statue of a putto representing Autumn, part of original set of Four Seasons, (see 429120.1 and 429120.2), broken in pieces. Damage occurred post 1881 but exact date unknown. Fragments of various sizes including the base of the sculpture and the torso of putto which holds a horn or cornucopia in one hand and a bunch of grapes in the other. Other fragments include the crown of the putto’s head decorated with vine-leaf crown, which mimics the crown of flowers of Summer (429120.2). Smaller fragments include many bunches of grapes, vines, vine leaves and a fragment with the signature of the sculptor Jean-Baptiste Gille called ‘Gille jeune’, marked as ‘Gille Jne Fab[ric]ant. Paris'. There is also a face piece which, unlike the other sculptures in the set (429120), has its eyes closed, asleep. Autumn appears in a slumped position, hands in lap, with an empty cornucopia. Jean-Baptiste Gille called ‘Gille jeune’ (French, 1798–1868, active Paris), Paris, France, c. 1855-64. One of four monumental figures (see NT 429120). In 1836, Gille created his own porcelain manufactory at 28 rue du Paradis-Poissonnière, Paris. His work earned many prizes at exhibitions in Paris and London. These four figures may have been among the white porcelain ornamental figures and groups Gille displayed at the 1862 International Exhibition in London. Acquired by Viscountess Beaconsfield in 1864.
Provenance
Three sculptures of putti from original set representing the Four Seasons acquired by Viscountess Beaconsfield 4 May 1864 (one of which is broken in pieces in Store). 'Woodgate for 4 biscuit white china figures of the seasons for the garden at Hughenden', £60 (a/c book). 'Fixed with cement' by Broughton (30 Aug 1864, a/c book). Other two sculptures of putti (429120.4 and 429120.5) are by the same sculptor, but are not part of original Four Seasons, and were acquired in 1982 as a gift. Fourth original sculpture of putto representing Winter no longer in collection, location post 1881 unknown.
Marks and inscriptions
Fragment: ‘Gille Jne Fab[ric]ant. Paris' (Gille Junior Creator, Paris).