Rare & Equisite Borsato Porcelain Figurine this being the "Sharpener's Audience" or Knife Grinder #142.
First produced in the early 1970's.
The young boy is watching his father grind a knife while he appears to be eating a small loaf of bread.
Very unique detail of the grinder with a metal knife in his hand and a pump petal at his right foot. A pulley (string) then is attached to the grinder shaft and the wheel. Next to his hand is a tank for water to go onto the grinder wheel and this has a metal spout attached to it. The shaft on the metal grinder is also metal.
Behind the boy is an axe which I suppose is ready to be sharpened. This ax is also metal. A bottle of vino or water is inside the mans jacket hanging on the grinder cart. Finally, the dog is snoozing between the two of them. Overall, a most unique piece.
Note the expression on the grinders face as well as the serene look on the boys face. Measuring 8 inches in height, 8 inches in width and 7 inches deep. This figurine is in excellent condition with no chips or cracks.
Think of the time it took to scuplt this figure from clay, then make the many molds to accept the slip. Then extract these invidual pieces from the molds and assemble then on the base along with the inserted metal pieces. Next the figurine is fired. After that it is hand painted which is going to take a good part of the day and fired again. Lastly, the glaze is added and it is fired a last time. This piece has a little higher gloss for the glaze than most Borsato figures.
This firgurine sold for over $150 in 1969 which would be the equivant of $2400 in todays dollars. We have it here for $995. No box.
Antonio Borsato is known and loved for his porcelains. He is arguably the finest porcelain sculptor of the 20th Century. The world lost a great artist when Antonio Borsato was killed in an auto accident in 1982. Borsato worked endlessly to make each creation a melody of color and movement. Borsato originals are sculptured in the full-round with no blank surfaces, with the entire piece completely hand colored with brilliant artistry. All stages were attended to by Antonio Borsato himself. It is assuring to note that no Borsato was in mass production. Borsato is known as the Michelangelo of the 20th Century. His works are displayed in the Vatican, museums, and many significant private collections. He studied under the great Cacciapuoti early on, but many believe he far surpassed his mentor, becoming the greatest of the Capo-Di-Monte genre. Borsato works of art are irreplaceable just as are the works of other Old Masters. His impeccable faithful adherence to detail, a wisp of hair, facial expression, even eyelashes, gestures, whimsical humor, anatomical perfection, combine to endow each of Borsato’s works with breathing realism. A Borsato art treasure is an exquisite masterpiece to be cherished as an heirloom for future generations.
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