An Italian glazed terracotta relief of the Pietà, by Benedetto Buglioni and workshop, early 16th century

Surface abrasions, chipping, and losses throughout. Pitting to surface including proper left (upward turned) side of Christ's head, torso, and perizonium, and her forearm. Restorations throughout including side of his proper left arm, her proper left forearm near elbow, some smaller restorations in drapery, patch on His proper right arm, and top edge of halo. Several restored breaks, some with flaking fill (and some along seams of separatelly-fired elements) including: several in upper section from horizon upwards on both sides of figures, some through sky, some edges where figures meet ground, to brickwork directly below Christ's head. Restoration along bottom edge. Entire relief with wood backing and metal supports for stablization. Would benefit from light cleaning and some consolidation of old restorations.
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.

For a comparable relief of the pieta in Santa Maria Nuova in Florence see Gentilini 1992, p. 392.

This lot is sold with a Thermoluminescence Analysis Report from Oxford Authentication Ltd. indicating that sample N106Z60 was last fired between 300 and 500 years ago.

RELATED LITERATURE

G. Gentilini, I Della Robbia.  La Scultura Invetriata nel Rinascimento, Milan, 1992