Fieldings of Stourbridge set a new house record on September 2 when Emanuele Caroni’s (1826-76) marble sculpture of cupid taming the lion sold at £91,000 (plus 24% premium).
Signed and dated 1867, L’Amour Vainqueuer de la Force was one of three sculptures shown by the Italian at the Exposition Universalle at the Paris Salon in 1867, alongside Esclave au Marche and Ophelie. Caroni was awarded a medal for these works under the category of ‘Sculpteurs et graveurs en medailles du sur pierres fines etrangers’.
Auctioneer Will Farmer described it as ”an internationally important piece of sculpture” and an “exciting find”. He believed it was the first time this has been seen since it was first exhibited in 1867.