Rafaelle Monti (Italian (active in Britain), 1818-1881) Statuary
porcelain, 26 3/4 in. This rare allegorical statue is made of
statuary porcelain, or Parian. The British firm Copeland and
Garrett had developed this material around 1845 as an
alternative to marble. The catalogue of the 1862 London
International Exhibition, which featured Night with its pendant
Morning(location unknown), describes the pair as follows: The
very striking and beautiful figures in statuary-porcelain
represent “Night” and “Morning” and are models by Monti: they
also are evidences of difficulties overcome – difficulties that
can be appreciated only by those who understand the process
through which such productions must pass (being, moreover of one
piece) before they are finished. Having worked in Milan and
Vienna, Monti eventually settled in London where he spent most
of his career. Apart from making sculptures in marble, and
others cast in various metals, he also became very involved with
the applied arts. Not only did he make many