Workshop of Francesco Terilli (active 1596-1633) Italian, early 17th century

with associated silver halo and nails

overall condition good. Fine vertical fissures to the ivory have become ingrained with dirt . Four fingers to left hand and two to right hand restored. Some losses to crown of thorns. Arms reattached with evidence of ivory pinning and restoration on the back of the upper arms.
"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."

Francesco Terilli was a North Italian sculptor active principally in Feltre as well as to a minor extent in Venice. Many of  Terilli's works are found around Feltre including three sculptures, Christ the Redeemer, St. Peter and St.Prodoscimo in Feltre Cathedral.  His sculptures are in wood and bronze as well as ivory, with a number signed, often accompanied by the adjective "Feltrensis" suggesting that he was a native of Feltre, although no documentary proof exists of this. Terilli was clearly influenced by the work of Alessandro Vittoria as can be  seen in his bronzes of John the Baptist illustrated by Weihrauch and Christ the Redeemer of 1610,  both preserved in the church of the Redeemer, Venice; note also  the wooden equestrian monument of Pompei Giustianini in the Basilica of St. John and St. Paul in Venice and dating to 1616-17.

A signed Cristo Morto is in the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston where the treatment to the perizonium carved with intricate pleats and realistic cord can be compared with the present corpus as well as another ivory corpus in  the Museo Civico di Feltre. A pair of ivory apostles signed by Terrili were sold at Sotheby's New York, 26 January 2007, lot 270
 
RELATED LITERATURE
G. Biasuz, Francesco Terilli intagliatore e bronzista feltrino del sec. XVII, in "Rivista di Venezia", a. VII, n.10, ottobre 1929, pp. 583-593; H. Weihrauch, Europaische Bronzestatuetten, (Brunswick, 1967), fig.23; G. Biasuz, Francesco Terilli, Feltre, 1988