A rare pair of painted wax relief portrait busts attributed to the Casella sisters

A rare pair of painted wax relief portrait busts attributed to the Casella sisters, of a bejewelled Italian lady and gentleman in Renaissance costume, late 19th / early 20th century, 8.1 x 5.9cm, within glazed ebonised frames. (2)

Ella (1858-1946) and Nelia (1859-1950) Casella studied under Alphonse Legros at the Slade School of Art in the 1880s. They exhibited at the Royal Academy and with the Arts & Crafts Exhibition Society in the 1890s. They were both part of the late 19th century Renaissance revival movement and drew inspiration from the medals of Pisanello. The Victoria & Albert Museum have a collection of wax reliefs by the Casella sisters bequeathed by Edward 'Teddy' Pyke.

Literature: The Studio, Volume XV111 P.260 for leather boxes made by Nelia Casella.

Provenance: The Property of Mrs Denzil Ffennell, formerly of Martyr Worthy Place, Martyr Worthy, Nr. Winchester, Hampshire.