* A rare Doccia figure of Il Capitano

* A rare Doccia figure of Il Capitano, from the Commedia dell'arte, wearing a short red tunic under a flowing yellow coat, his left hand placed theatrically on one hip, raised on a small square base, c.1760-65, a little good restoration to his right hand, 13.5cm. Il Capitano (The Captain) is typically a cowardly figure, masking his many negative traits under feigned bravado. He is usually portrayed as Spanish - a reference of the Spanish domination of Italy during the Renaissance and into the 18th century. Provenance: from a distinguished private European collection.