Italy, Florence, circa 1700

Cyril Humphris, London

Surface abrasions, some scratches and dents. Small old lead plug in back of his head, implement in his upraised right hand is lacking. Overall quite good chasing and modeling and otherwise very good condition.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

RELATED LITERATURE

Radcliffe 1976, pp. 14-23; Pratesi 1993, nos. 638-659

The present bronze is analagous to several bronzes made by Ferdinando Tacca and his workshop, particularly the male figures in his two-figure groups. The same soft modeling, youthful body type and facial features in his Roger from the Roger and Angelica group in the Louvre (Radcliffe, op. cit., fig. 2) and his figure of Adonis from his Venus and Adonis group in Budapest (Radcliffe,op.cit., fig. 7) are evident here. Furthermore, the treatment of the drapery and the hair is similar to that in a bronze group of Hercules and Iole sold Sotheby's London December 12, 1986, lot 74. The swirling lines of matt-punched decoration  on the separately cast base is observed on the majority of Tacca's small bronzes and, most notably, on the foreground of his large relief of the martyrdom of Saint Stephen presented in 1656 to the Church Santo Stefano el Ponte, Florence. The remainder of reddish-gold translucent varnish over the light brown patina on this bronze Bacchus is a further link to the present bronze's Florentine origin.