According to E. J. Pyke in, A Biographical Dictionary of Wax Modellers, Oxford, 1973, the present work is typical of Santarelli's modelling, which is described as follows, 'Colour of Wax. Brown, orange, red, pink, or white. Background. Glass, painted blue, black or red, dark-green mount, slate or velvet. Size. Small to medium scale [...] Signature. Labels reading - 'Gio. Ant^{o<\sup> Santarelli a Firenze' or 'Cav. Santarelli modellò' or 'Cav. Ant. Santarelli modellò'' (p. 127).
Santarelli (1756-1828) was a sculptor, medallist, gem-engraver and wax-modeller. Working firstly in Rome, he settled in Florence in 1797 and specialised in making wax portraits of historic figures. He was appointed a member of numerous Academies, including those in Berlin, Paris, Florence and St Luke in Rome, and in 1820, was awarded the Legion of Honour by King Louis XVIII of France. For further information, see exhibition catalogue Ritrattini in cera d'epoca neoclassica. La collezione Santarelli e un'appendice sulle cere antiche del Museo Nazionale di Firenze, Florence, Galleria d'Arte Moderna di Palazzo Pitti, 1981.}