Attributed to Giuseppe Sanmartino (1720-1793) Italian, Naples, second half 18th century

the reverse inscribed in pencil: 8205

Overall the condition of the terracotta is good with dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. There are a number of restorations: St Michael's raised right arm is reattached and the devil's proper right arm may be reattached. There are a few small losses, including to the devil's toes on his proper left foot and possibly to his toes on his right foot. There are a few smaller losses, including to the edges of the base and to some the tips of the flames. There are a number of firing fissures, including to the right side of the base, to behind the shield and to some of the crevices. There are a number of very small lacunae. There is a small hole to St Michael's back and some small holes to the top of the helmet.
"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."

This dynamic terracotta group compares closely with the work of the Neapolitan Baroque sculptor Giuseppe Sanmartino. St Michael's pose, with one arm raised, head slightly lowered, and one foot trampling on his vanquished enemy, is very similar to that of his Archangel St. Michael in Monopoli cathedral (Catello, op. cit., p. 89). The attribution to Sanmartino is confirmed when the present group is compared with a number of the sculptor's other terracotta bozzetti. In particular, note the crisp incised decoration adorning the habit of his Bozzetto of St. Philip Neri in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna (Catello, op. cit., p. 68); this is conceived in a near-identical manner to the decoration on the Archangel's cuirass and shield. Also compare with his signed terracotta St. Vincent Ferrer in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (inv. no. 1996.93), in which the saint's wings are modelled in an analagous way to those of St. Michael in the present bozzetto.

RELATED LITERATURE
J. Hecht, '"I'm No Angel": A Terracotta Model of Saint Vincent Ferrer by Giuseppe Sanmartino', Metropolitan Museum Journal 37, 2002, pp. 229-238; E. Catello, Giuseppe Sanmartino (1720-1793), Naples, 2004, pp. 32, 68 and 89