Lot 534
  • 534

Giovanni Della Robbia (1469-1529) Italian, Florence, circa 1520

Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
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Description

  • Tondo with the coat of arms of the Della Trita Family
  • glazed and polychromed terracotta
  • Giovanni Della Robbia (1469-1529) Italian, Florence, circa 1520

Literature

R. Dionigi (ed.), Stemmi Robbiani in Italia e nel Mondo: per un catalogo araldico, storico e artistico, Florence, 2014, p. 303, no. 400

Condition

Given the age of the roundel, the terracotta and polychromed glazed surface are in good condition, with minor dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. The roundel is composed in sections and joints are visible. The joints have been strengthened with the use of plaster fill, both at the front and the back, and an iron frame has been put around the whole to strengthen the sides. It is possible that the different segments have been detached and put back together at some point. There is a restored fracture running vertically through the coat of arms. Some of the plaster fill at the joints has oxidised, indicating the use of metal dowels internally to strengthen the ensemble. There is particular wear to the glazes around the garland frame at the joints of each segment. Restoration is mostly confined to the darker green leaves, where there are probable joints. There are various small chips and losses to the glaze throughout the frame. There are also some losses to the terracotta fruits and leaves, in particular to the grapes and flowers on the upper left side of the frame. Further areas of restored loss include to one of the yellow fruits at the lower right side of the frame. The glazes are slightly dry on the left side of the frame, potentially indicating some restoration. There is considerable plaster fill to the reverse, particularly at the joints and at the centre. Oxidation staining may again indicate the use of iron dowels internally. There are various small lacunae in the plaster fill.
"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 coat of arms on this richly garlanded tondo may be identified as that of the Della Trita family. The name was adopted by Francesco di Lapo Adimari, who declared the change, along with a revised coat of arms, in 1349. An alternative hypothesis regarding the stemma can be proposed on account of the gold bordering the yellow stripes, which also frames the red stripes of the Sapiti family arms; the yellow could have been applied in error (see Diogini, op. cit.).

A Thermoluminescence Analysis Report conducted by Oxford Authentication (Sample No.: N117b97) stated that the date of last firing from the samples taken from this roundel was 'Between 300 and 600 years ago'. The report is available on request.