Late 19th Century Carved Alabaster Bust of a Young Child

This is a fine neoclassical style bust depicting the head and shoulders of a young child, likely a young girl, executed in carved white alabaster. The child is portrayed with a gentle, downward-tilted gaze and a faint smile, featuring soft, cherubic facial features and elaborate curly hair that falls around the face and shoulders. The hair is intricately carved with significant depth, suggesting high-quality craftsmanship characteristic of Italian workshops during the Victorian or Belle Époque eras (circa 1880-1920). The alabaster exhibits a warm, translucent quality with natural veining in subtle yellowish tones. The bust is mounted on a contrasting square-stepped socle pedestal base, which appears to be carved from a dark green serpentinite or marble with mottled black and green inclusions. Physically, the piece shows areas of surface grime and light dust accumulation, particularly in the deep crevices of the hair. There is a visible hairline fracture or deep scratch on the child's right shoulder and minor surface pitting throughout, consistent with the soft nature of alabaster. The overall condition is good, showing expected age-related patina without significant structural losses to the facial features or the base.