Attributed to Caspar Gras (1585-1674) South German,17th century

rich brown patina, on later base

Rich brown patina with some wear in particular to tail. The bronze would benefit from a light clean around the mane eyes and mouth- interior of mouth with very minor traces of verdigris. There is a rectangular patch on left haunch as well as one on right flank. Further patches are visible in the right hind leg (as can be see in the catalogue photograph) as well as upper lip. The tail has been cast separately and attached.
"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."

Originally part of a two figure group of a Horse attacked by a roaring lion,  two further casts of this model are recorded: one in the Museum of Fine Arts Budapest and illustrated by Balogh and another together with the horse, sold in these rooms, May 18, 1967 lot 49, now in a private collection.  A single kicking horse in the Staatliche Museum, Berlin and another in the J. Paul Getty Museum ( inv. no. 85.SB.72) which may very well have been the pendant figures to the present cast and the one in Budapest.  The  attribution to Caspar Gras was first proposed by Leithe Jasper in 1986 based on the technical similarity of the kicking horse with the horses of the Four Equestrian Habsburg rulers in the Kunsthistorisches Vienna.  This attribution was further strengthened following the publication of Avery's article in 2001.

RELATED LITERATURE
J.Balogh, Katalog der Ausländischen Bildwerke des Museums der Bildenden Künste in Budapest, IV.-XVIII. Jahrundert, Budapest 1975,pp.303, fig.131,309; M.Leither-Jasper, Renaissance Master bronzes from the Collections of the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna,  exh.cat. Washington, DC.1986, no. 66a; C.Avery, "The bronze statuettes of Caspar Gras", in Studies in Italian Sculpture,  London, 2001, p.437