2-798-964 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Statue of St. Antony, of Padua - by Rossi, 1845. Item from the collection of British critic, travel writer and slaveowner William Beckford, who was also an art collector and patron of works of decorative art. After he died, the collection at his home Lansdown Tower just outside Bath was put up for sale. 'The catalogue numbers some 650 lots, including gorgeous furniture, cabinets, paintings, antique gems, coins, agates, mosaic tables, sculpture, Etruscan vases, rare gold Japan, and what is described as "matchless china"...The fine Statue of St. Anthony of Padua...is of the purest marble, and is, unquestionably, one of [John Charles Felix] Rossi's best works, if not his chef-d'oeuvre'. From "Illustrated London News", 1845, Vol VII.