Vincenzo Gemito

Overall the relief is in excellent condition with some minor wear to the surface consistent with age. There is overall tarnishing consistent with material and there is a small loss to the tip of one snake's head.
"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."

Vincenzo Gemito created a number of versions of his shield with the head of Medusa. The first version was a relief within a gilt silver bowl cast in 1909-10, present location unknown. The present silver relief relates closely to that first version with the pair of snakes snarling above Medusa's forehead, their tails knotted together below her chin, and the wings peeping through her hair. Gemito was an expert silver caster and the precious metal has picked up all the delicate details of the model including the fine lines in the locks of hair and the minute feathering in the wings. 

This Medusa also relates to the elaborate parcel gilt silver Medusa in the Malibu J. Paul Getty Museum. The Getty version which is framed with a snake skin motif, closely follows what may be the inspiration for all Gemito's Medusa reliefs – the cameo of the Farnese Tazza, one the greatest cameos of antiquity housed in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale in the artist's native Naples. Gemito's wax studies for the head of Medusa are preserved in the Civica Galleria d'Arte moderna in Milan.

RELATED LITERATURE
Fusco, unpaginated; Marinis, tav. 253-4