Attributed to Massimiliano Soldani-Benzi (1656-1740) Italian, Florence, 18th century

Private collection, Ireland, since the 18th century

The overall condition is very good, with minor surface dirt and wear consistent with age. There is an oval shaped lacuna to the right of Venus' proper right arm, this may originally have been filled with a plug. There are a few further small lacunae in particular to the drapery to the left of Venus' right arm and by her proper left foot. There are some minor nicks and scratches to Venus' back. There is some minor rubbing to the patina, in particular in the high points such as at Venus' finger tips and proper left knee. There are some minor scratches to her legs and a few nicks to her proper right arm. There is a small casting flaw at the back at the bottom of the bronze where there is a pin. The base is made in sections and there is a restored break running through the back section. There is general wear and minor nicks and scratches. Some sections may be reattached. Some of the brass has lifted a little.
"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."

This beautifully cast bronze Venus and Cupid has a characteristic reddish brown Florentine patina. The composition appears to be a variant of a group which appears on the famous Amphitrite Ewer by Massimiliano Soldani-Benzi in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (inv. no. A.19-1959). Note other works by Soldani, including his Leda and the Swan, of which there is a cast in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge (inv. no. M.60-1984), and his Venus and Cupid in the Staatliche Museum, Berlin (see Pratesi, op. cit., fig. 534). 

RELATED LITERATURE
G. Prasedi, Repertorio della scultura Fiorentina del seicento e settecento, Florence, 1993, figs. 493-590