A third twist in the tail

Golding young,Grantham Auctioneers Lincolnshire




The final chapter in Colin Wilson's 'Giambologna' monkeys is in question as there is a new twist to the tail.

Just as Grantham auctioneers Golding Young announced they would decide the fate of the controversial bronzes at auction in July, a third figure has come to light. for over 10 years the late Colin Wilson, a Lincolnshire dealer, researched and championed the authenticity of two small bronze monkeys that he bought at auction in the late 1990's for a few hundred pounds. The monkeys dated back to 16th/17th century and Mr Wilson believed they were from Giambologna's fountain of Samson and a Philistine erected in Florence c.1569. A drawing in the Uffizi shows the fountain in situ and four niches containing seated monkeys cast in bronze. Believers say Wilson's monkeys are a good match for size.

The latest monkey to be found is adopting a different posture and was bought by the vendor's father during the 1950's for a reputed £2.10s.Od from a scrap merchant in Ickleford Hertfordshire. Interestingly it is just a few miles from the saleroom where Colin Wilson made his find. Auctioneer Colin Young, who has followed the cause of the monkeys for several years, believes the new discovery will undoubtedly unlock new theories to add to the 42-point dossier already available on the Golding Young website. It certainly adds credence to the assumption that the monkeys were moulded in two pairs.

Auctioneer Colin Young said, "This is a fantastic development. it may be wishful thinking, but it just may be that the forth monkey could be found before the sale."

Golding Young: The Colin Wilson Monkeys attributed to Giambologna (1529-1608)