Filippo Scandellari (1717-1801) Italian, Bologna, 1758

With Sestieri Brothers, Rome, Italy, 1965;
David Daniels Collection, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America, by 1980;
sold Christie's New York, 25-26 September 2001, lot 258;
private European collector

Minneapolis, The Minneapolis Institute of Arts, 26 October 1979 - 13 January 1980

L. Lincoln (ed.), Sculpture from the David Daniels Collection, exh. cat. The Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minneapolis, 1979, pp. 90-91, no. 35

There is dirt and wear to the surface. There are two concealed dowels at either side of Hercules' neck, strengthening an invisible restored break. The top left corner is restored. There is a lacuna in Hercules neck on the proper left side, and there appears to be restoration in this area. There is restoration to the proper left side of the abdomen around the hand. The proper right foot appears to be reattached (there is a joint below the foot). There is possible restoration at the proper left knee. There is a loss to the right side of the terrasse. There are a few small chips, including in the hair. There are two pins in the terrasse at the front, and some small lacunae below the terrasse. The surface of the terracotta is covered in a slip. There are traces of a white adhesive material used for restoration at the back (at the neck/ shoulders, sides of the abdomen, proper left knee, terrasse and club). Otherwise the condition is good.
"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 elegant relief of Hercules was modelled by Filippo Scandellari, a follower of the great Baroque artist Giuseppe Maria Mazza, and the pre-eminent sculptor in Bologna in the second half of the 18th century. The present relief can be compared with Scandellari's Expulsion of Adam and Eve, initialled F.S. and dated 1758, in the City Art Museum of Saint Louis, and his Saint John the Baptist, inscribed F.S.A.C. and dated 1763, in the Minneapolis Institute of Arts (Lincoln, op. cit., p. 90).