An exceptional carved marble figure of a boy by Benjamin Edward Spence (1822-1866), partially draped, seated on a rock and holding a horn in his hands, signed “B.E. SPENCE FT ROMA”, English, ca. 1850. 37 ins. high; oval base 15 ins. x 19 ins.

Born in Liverpool, Benjamin Edward Spence won a prize for sculpture at the Manchester Exhibition when he was sixteen years old. He worked in Rome for the better part of his life, studying with both John Gibson and J.-B. Wyatt. Spence showed at the Royal Academy five times between 1849 and 1866. His works are represented in museum collections in Liverpool and Sydney.

Barbara says, “This lovely boy, about to play his pipe, perched on a rock would do wonders as a surprise on a woodland path”.