Mannequin Or Capipote Italy, 17th Century

MANNEQUIN or CAPIPOTE
Italy, 17th century 
Walnut wood and pigments
H.: 98; H. with base: 106 cm

Realistic mannequin in carved walnut and poplar wood, depicting a standing man with a sloping, upward-facing face and articulated arms at elbow and shoulder level. His hands and feet are finely and elegantly carved, as are his facial features, giving him an expression of verisimilitude. 
He is wearing the characteristic male undergarment of the period: a boxer short - sometimes referred to as “breeches”. The latter is sculpted with drapery and enhanced with white pigments. His lower limbs and forearms are colored pink to accentuate the realism of his complexion, while brown is reserved for his short hair. 
It rests on a base painted in red ochre. 

It may have been a funeral mannequin, originally dressed in cloth and adorned with jewels, and used in traditional Catholic processions.

Provenance: 
- Former private collection, Paris.
- Acquired by predecessor at Galerie Liova, Marc Perpitch, in 2005.

Overall good condition.

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON

Réf :5068