Pair of marble busts of children, circle of Alessandro Algardi, 17th century

This pair of white marble busts, carved in the second half of the 17th century, belongs to the circle of the Roman sculptor Alessandro Algardi. Originating in Rome, the pair follows the classical type known as the ‘sleeping child’ or ‘dreaming child’. One face has closed eyes, while the other has a tilted head and a tranquil gaze, both with softly rendered curls. The busts rest on grey marble socles above square bases in red marble with white veining, very probably added in the 19th century. The pair retains a patina consistent with its age.