- 120
Italian, Naples, 18th century
Estimate
12,000 - 18,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Oriental Musician on Horseback
- polychromed terracotta and wood, with glass inlaid eyes and a brass trumpet, with a cloth bridal trimmed with silver thread and adorned with sequins and steel mounts, with cloth garments, standing on an ebonised wood base
- Italian, Naples, 18th century
Condition
Overall the condition is good with minor dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. There is some wear to the polychromy. There are some losses to the terracotta, including to around the man's mouth. Part of one of the proper right fingers is lost and there is a break to the proper left little finger. The sculpture is composed in sections: the horse's legs, mane, tail and ears are all made in sections and joints are visible; there may be some restorations around some of the joints. There is oxidation to the steel mounts. There is some clouding to the glass eyes. There are minor losses to the wood base.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
The elegant pacing horse in this equestrian group is modelled with refinement and finesse; note the naturalism in the face, the flaring nostrils and the glass inlaid eyes. The present group is likely to have once been part of a larger creche ensemble; similar figures feature as Magi in Nativity scenes. The high quality of the horse is comparable with the work of the Neapolitan sculptor Nicola Vassallo (active mid 18th century). Compare the horseman, with his characterful blowing cheeks, with the King's Oriental Attendant by Lorenzo Mosca (d. 1789) in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (inv. no. 64.164.88a-c).