North Italian, circa 1200

with a label inscribed: JULIUS BÖHLER MÜNCHEN and numbered: B 2005 0012/9 on the underside and a label numbered: 1118 in ink on the side

Henny Otto Goldschmidt, Eindhoven;
with Blumka Gallery / Julius Böhler, New York, 2006

New York, Blumka Gallery / Julius Böhler, Collecting Treasures of the Past V, 2006, no. 33

Overall the condition of the bronze is good. There is wear and dirt to the surface consistent with age and handling with some rubbing to the patina around the edge, loops and where the chains attach. There are severall small lacunae and stable fissures consistent with early casting practices including a fissure to the corner on the underside. There are a few minor spots of greening. The chains are possibly later, one is lost.
"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."

A closely related censer excavated near Genoa and dated to the 12th or early 13th century is in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (inv. no. 67.292).

Henny Goldschmidt amassed one of the best collections of Gothic works of art in the Netherlands in recent decades. Several highlights from the collection were recently donated to the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam by his heirs and will appear in the museum's new display.

RELATED LITERATURE
N. Netzer, Catalogue of medieval objects. Metalwork, cat. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1991, pp. 80-81, no. 15; U. Schneider and D. Preising (eds.), In gotischer Gesellschaft. Spätmittelalterliche Skulpturen aus einder niederländischen Privatsammlung: Die Sammlung Goldschmidt, exh. cat. Suermondt-Ludwig-Museum, Aachen, 1998; H.O. Goldschmidt, Hemelse beelden. Het verzamelen van kunst, Enschede, 2001