French, 18th century

Nessus struggling to remove the arrrow (missing) from his breast, reddish gold lacquer, bolted to base plate, on Boulle marquetry and tortoiseshell base (2)

Nice, rich, brown patina. Wear consistent with age. Arrow missing from Nessus group (as mentioned in catalogue). Base plate of Europa separately cast and attached. Attachment pin from old attachment under base of Europa group. Two later screws on each bronze attaching it to each base. Repaired break to right arm of Europa. Wear and rubbing to Boulle bases.
"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."

The models for these two groups as pendant figures are not thought to be by the same hand.  First records of the models are found in French late 17th century documentation: the 1700 inventory of the collection of André le Nôtre and the purchase of the same models in 1699 for the Elector of Saxony, now in the Grünes Gewölbe Dresden. A cast of the Nessus and Deianira  which is in  the Wallace Collection London can be closely compared with the present example. Note the punched base, the drilled eyes of Deianira and the detailing to the hooves. A cast of the Nessus and Deianira on a similar boulle base and a cast of Europa and the Bull are in the Swedish National Museum acquired at the latest in 1740 and illustrated by Larsson.

RELATED LITERATURE
L.O. Larsson, European bronzes 1450-1700, Stockholm 1992, nos.44-45, see also frontispiece; R. Wenley,French Bronzes in the Wallace Collection, London 2002, pp.62-63