Early 20th Century Italian Carrara Marble Bust of Beautiful Lady by Affortunato Gory

The head and shoulder bust beautifully carved in marble, portrays a young bare shouldered maiden with a downward gaze and rose details on her bodice.  The bust rests upon a trapezium sienna marble base. 

Signed A. Gory, circa 1910.

Affortunato Gori (also known as Fortunato Gory) (active c.1895–1925) was an Italian sculptor renowned for his elegant decorative bronzes and mixed-media sculptures. Born in Florence, he studied at the Accademia di Belle Arti under the celebrated sculptor Augusto Rivalta before relocating to Paris at the beginning of the twentieth century, where he further developed his artistic career under Victorien-Antoine Bastet.

From 1902 onwards, Gori regularly exhibited at the prestigious Salon des Artistes Français, with works shown in 1902, 1904, 1905, 1912, 1914 and 1923. His reputation grew through his refined sculptures of female figures and busts, characterised by their graceful modelling and sophisticated use of contrasting materials.

Gori's early works reflect the influence of the Italian Neoclassical tradition, particularly in his finely executed small-scale nude figures. As artistic tastes evolved, he embraced the emerging Art Nouveau and later Art Deco styles, becoming particularly known for female busts that combined carved marble or alabaster heads with richly cast bronze drapery, elaborate headdresses and decorative detailing. His innovative use of mixed materials created sculptures of exceptional elegance and visual refinement.

Today, Gori's work is highly regarded by collectors for its craftsmanship, distinctive style and harmonious combination of marble, alabaster, ivory and bronze. Examples of his sculptures are held in private collections worldwide as well as in museum collections, including the Musée du Château Dufresne in Montreal and the Musée Louis Senlecq in France.

Affortunato Gori died in Paris in 1925, leaving behind a body of work that remains among the most sought-after examples of early twentieth-century decorative sculpture.