Q: I recently read an article you posted which said that antique and vintage marble busts of men and women are currently selling well. My parents and I have a marble bust of my great-great grandmother which is signed by Antonio Frilli. We believe my grandmother, a very wealthy woman in the late 1890s and early 1900s, had this bust made when she traveled to Europe. Unfortunately, it was neglected and left outside for many years before our family acquired it, and it has some damage. The head is severed and there is a large crack in her forehead. Other than cleaning it with water, we haven’t done anything to the bust and we aren’t even sure if it can be repaired. It is approximately 2 feet tall and is very heavy. Is there any value to this bust in the condition it currently is in? Would you recommend we have it repaired, and if so, what type of business specializes in this type of repair? We don’t know anything about marble busts, but we are very proud that we own this piece of history of our grandmother!

A: Antonio Frilli was an artist and sculptor who opened a studio and workshop in Florence, Italy, in 1860. He made Carrera marble and Volterra alabaster reproductions of classical and Renaissance works. He also made statues and monuments for well-to-do clients. After he died in 1902, his son took over the business. Frilli Gallery is still in business. Tourists often bought pieces from the gallery and it’s not likely the bust is your grandmother. The bust can’t be completely restored, but the head can be held on with a rod inserted in the marble. Small cracks in marble can be concealed with a mixture of colored wax and chalk dust. Keep the bust out of the rain and frost. Marble is porous and rain will eventually cause the marble to deteriorate. If you wash the bust, use distilled water. The bust with serious cracks and damage has little value.