Richard AURILI (1834-1914), Maternity (allegorical composition?).

light fine-grained clay (terracotta), beige-gray semi-matte glaze;
height 45 cm; base 22 x 24 cm;
Signature engraved on the side on the base: R. Aurili; imprints on back: 924 / 1 Ricardo Aurili (1834-1914), 19th/20th c.
Group on a low rectangular base with chamfered corners on the front. Seated in a curule chair is a young woman wearing a simple dress laced at the neckline and a shawl loosely tied to the back of her head; she is leaning with her left foot on a low stool. She holds a naked baby boy on her lap, who is kissed and embraced by a second older naked boy standing in front of the woman. The woman draws the two boys toward her and lightly embraces them.
The work is by Italian sculptor Ricardo Aurili (1834-1914), who worked until about 1890 in Belgium and later in Paris.