L13304

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Lot 5
  • 5

In North Italian, 16th century style

Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Eight terracotta groups from the Road to Calvary
  • partially polychromed terracotta
  • In North Italian, 16th century style

Provenance

Private collection, Monte Carlo
with Matthiesen Fine Art Ltd, London, 29 June 1984

Exhibited

London, Matthiesen Fine Art Ltd, From Borso to Cesare d' Este, 1450 - 1626, School of Ferrara. In Aid of the Courtauld Institute of Art Appeal Trust, 1984, no. 76

Condition

The lot is composed of sections from a larger group: the remaining sections are missing. There are various losses to the sections, particularly to the ground under the figures' feet. Note also the following specific further observations: 1) On the far left group (including the horseman), there is a large loss to the horse's head and there are restored breaks to the rest of the head. One of the figures below has lost his nose and the neck and proper left shoulder of the middle figure appears to be restored, his proper left big toe is also lost. 2) There are restorations to the group with two soldiers with shields. These include restored breaks running through the two soldiers. Much of the proper right side of the attacking figure in front of them is also lost and much of his proper left arm is lost. The two soldier's heads may be reattached. 3) Of the central group with Christ, the bottom part of the crucifix is lost. The far left figure's proper right arm is lost and the proper left hand of the man supporting the cross is also lost. There are also some restored breaks, including to the far left man's torso (there are losses here) and to the central man's proper right arm. The far left man's feet are lost. 4) Of the group with female mourners much of the bottom part of the woman on the right on the second row is lost. Mary's hands and arms may be restored (there are a few small losses here). There are losses to the kneeling figure's feet and drapery. 5) Of the next group to the right with kneeling female mourner on the left, there are small losses including to the hands. A section of the proper left leg of the man at the front has been reattached/ restored. The proper right side of the front kneeling mourner appears not to have been modelled. 6) Of the group with bearded men, the front section is not modelled (presumably there was a lost group in front). The legs of the far left bearded men are lost and one of them is propped up with the addition of a modern stick. There are restored breaks to the figures, most visible at the back. 7) Of the far right group, the front section is not modelled. Presumably there was another group in front. There are small losses including to the hats. The head of the far right figure is reattached. There are various restored breaks (as documented above). However, the nature of the breaks and restoration is not wholly apparent and there may be further restored areas. There is dirt and wear to the surface throughout, consistent with age.
"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."

Catalogue Note

This impressive group clearly follows in the tradition of the dramatic bewaiting terracotta groups of the 1480's by Guido Mazzoni in Ferrara and Modena and his contemporary Niccolo dall'Arca in Bologna. This theme was taken up in the High Renaissance by Antonio Begarelli and Alfonso Lombardi (Ferrara 1497-Bologna 1537) to whom the present group has at one time been attributed. One group from the ensemble was lost in 2004.

Thermoluminescence tests by Oxford Authentication dd. 10 April 1992 and Ralf Kotalla from March 2012 have indicated that the terracotta of several groups was fired less than 100 years ago.