Page:Nollekens and His Times, Volume 2.djvu/129

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CERACCHI.
117

proprietors of Coade's Artificial Stone Manufactory in that part of the New Road called "Tottenham Court;" and it is very tastefully modelled. The bust of Sir Joshua Reynolds, sold by the figure-casters, Mr. Northcote informs me, was also modelled by Ceracchi. Baretti, in his "Guide through the Royal Academy," when describing the Strand front of Somerset House, thus speaks of him: "The two figures nearest the centre, were made by Signor Carlini; the two at the extremities, by Signor Ceracchi, an Italian Sculptor, who resided some time in London, whose abilities the architect (Sir William Chambers) wished to encourage and keep among us; but the little employment found in England for Sculptors, however excellent, frustrated his intentions." Ceracchi had, when I was taken to see him, very extensive premises at No. 76, Margaret-street, Cavendish-square; he was a short thin man, with a piercing black eye, and a very blue beard. He was the Honourable Mrs. Damer's master in Sculpture, as that lady declared to me herself.[1]

Ceracchi, highly gifted as he certainly was,

  1. He modelled a statue of his pupil, which, since the decease of Lord Frederick Campbell, has been carved in marble, and placed in the Hall of the British Museum.