Falchi porcelain of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence

This auction is for a gorgeous limited edition porcelain sculpture of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This is no. 5 of 200 sets made in 1975-76 by King's Porcelain, Usmate, Italy. The sculpturer was Aldo Falchi who was born in Italy in 1935. The passion for moulding was in him since his childhood. By the age of 18 years he succeeded in entering the Brera Academy in Milan. He was the pupil of sculptor Remo Brioschi's famous studio. To enhance the realization of his porcelain pieces, Also Falchi moulds his subjects in terra-cotta. His works are displayed in several art galleries, among which is the "Tiziano" Gallery in Mantova.

This porcelain piece is of the signing of the Declaration of Indepedence. It measures 20" H x 26" W x 16" D. This is No.27  of 200 made. It is also signed by the artist. This was purchased originally in 1975 for $10,000.00. Supposedly, President Ford had one of the very same sets.

This is one of the largest porcelain pieces made in the world. There are 11 famous American statesmen illustrated and reproduced in this extraordinary piece. Each statesman is easily recognizable because each likeness has been executed to an extremely fine degree, capturing accurate facial and sensitive eye expressions. You can even see the blue veins in their hands. This masterpiece was inspired by the famous American painting by Colonel John Trumbull, "The Declaration of Independence, 4 July 1776 at Philadelphia". Clockwise from the flag, the following distinguished Americans are represented:

Thomas Jefferson - He was the youngest of the delegates from Virginia to the Continental Congress. He was responsibole for almost all of the writing of the Declaration of Independence. He was later to become president in 1801. He was also responsible for founding the University of Virginia. He was 33 at the time of the signing of the Declaration.

Charles Thomson - Served from 1774 to 1789 as the "perpetual secretary" to congress. He was from Pennsylvania. He died in 1824 at the age of 96.

Philip Livingston - Born in Albany, New York and educated at Yale. Pilip Livingston interested himself generously in public causes and colonial independence throughout his very productive life. He died at the age of 62 just 2 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Arthur Middleton - A delegate from South Carolina and a leader in the extreme Patriots party. He died at the age of 45 in 1787.

John Hancock - This flamboyant statesman was the presiding president of the Continental Cogress, a position wich allowd him the honor of being he first to attest his signature to the Declaration of Independence. He was later to become the governor of Massachusetts. He was 39 when he signed the Declaration.

Roger Sherman - A member of the committee appointed to draft the Declaration of Independence. This delegate from Connecticut was the only man to attest his signature to the Association of 1774, Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation and the constitution of the United States. He was 55 at the time of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

John Adams - A member of the committee appointed to draft the Declaration of Independence. This distinguished statesman from massachusetts was later to become the second President of the United States. During the debates on the Declaration of Independence he was dubbed "The Atlas of American Independence"; a title indicitive of his energies and vehemence in his fight for American independence. He was 42 at the time of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Robert Livingston - A member of the committee to draft the Declaration of Independence. He never signed the Declaration. Livingston administered the oath of office to George Washington when he became the first President of the United States. He died in 1813 at the age of 67.

Benjamin Franklin - This very distinguished statesman and scientist was the oldest of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He was on the committee to draft the Declaration. Among the many achievements of this very active man was the fact that he was the first American Minister to France. He was also noted as the founder of the University of Pennsylvania. He died at the age of 84 in 1790.

Richard Henry Lee - Mr. Lee was the ranking and most conspicious member of the delegation from Virginia. A Noted orator, Lee was responsible for introducing the motion which lead to the drafting of the Declaration of Independence. He was 45 at the time of the signing.

Edward Rutledge - At 26 he was the youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence. The most articulate member of the South Carolina delegation. He was later to become the governor of South Carolina.

It is currently at my mothers but I included the old photo from your website to give you an idea of what it is