Italian School (19th and 20th century),Dante's Beatrice andPetrarch's Lauratwo carved marble busts, both versos with illegible signatures inscribed "Prof. ?," both mounted atop a shaped marble base labeled "Simmons Collection" to anterior, the first depicting 'Beatrice' or Bice di Folco Portinari (Italian, 1265-1290), love inspiration and muse for Dante Alighieri's worksLa Vita Nuova andDivine Comedy; the second of 'Laura,' and most likely Laura de Noves (French, 1310–1348), love inspiration and muse for Francesco Petrarca's poems.21 1/2 x 17 1/2 x 11 in. (Tallest sculpture including base)Dante's Beatrice was purchased by Dr. Thomas Jackson Simmons at the International Exposition in San Francisco in 1915, and remained on top of a revolving bookcase in his office in the Memorial Building. Twenty five years later when another bookcase was added, Dr. Simmons commissioned a Florentine sculptor to make a companion piece,Petrarch's Laura.Property of Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, sold to support art collections careAdditional high-resolution photos are available at www.lelandlittle.com Condition Report Scratches, scuffs, and surface stains to various areas; scattered chips and areas of loss, some with repair.