A beautiful, very rare, and fascinating figure depicting a boy sitting on a step holding a cage in his lap.
For many years, the origin of this figure was unknown but it is now understood to depict Carlo Ferrari, a young Italian boy who fled Italy for London (as many others did) during the Napoleonic Wars. Carlo scraped a living exhibiting his caged white mice (hence the cage he is holding) on the streets. In November 1831, he was murdered by body snatchers and sold to anatomists. The figure is likely based on the illustrations which appeared in the press during the time of his sensational murder trial. More information on this figure can be found here (links to external site).
The figure is offered in good condition. Carlo’s nose is slightly worn and there is some loss to the gilt on his jacket and waistcoat buttons. There is a small, discreet repair to his hat. The figure may be attributable to the Lloyd of Shelton pottery.
Reference: Possibly unrecorded.
Height: 4.25”
Date: c. 1832
A beautiful, very rare, and fascinating figure depicting a boy sitting on a step holding a cage in his lap.
For many years, the origin of this figure was unknown but it is now understood to depict Carlo Ferrari, a young Italian boy who fled Italy for London (as many others did) during the Napoleonic Wars. Carlo scraped a living exhibiting his caged white mice (hence the cage he is holding) on the streets. In November 1831, he was murdered by body snatchers and sold to anatomists. The figure is likely based on the illustrations which appeared in the press during the time of his sensational murder trial. More information on this figure can be found here (links to external site).
The figure is offered in good condition. Carlo’s nose is slightly worn and there is some loss to the gilt on his jacket and waistcoat buttons. There is a small, discreet repair to his hat. The figure may be attributable to the Lloyd of Shelton pottery.
Reference: Possibly unrecorded.
Height: 4.25”
Date: c. 1832
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