An Urbino maiolica group of Leda and the Swan, late 16th century

perhaps the workshop of Francesco Patanazzi, the goddess reclining with Zeus ravishing her in his guise as a swan, Leda leaning on the cracked egg which foretells the birth of her progeny, naturalistically coloured and lying on ochre drapery over a square carpet painted with grotesques,

Christie's New York, 28th September 2006, lot 187;
Nella Longari Gallery, Milan;
Johnson Collection

Professor C. Ravanelli Guidotti, Spunti per conversare, Milan, 2007, pp. 45-49, illustrated.

Some restoration to front right corner of base and to swan's head Typical glaze flaking, notably to large areas of her hand, knees, shoulder and arm.
"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."

It is considered that the model is probably taken from the engraving by Marcantonio Raimondi after Michelangelo's tempera painting on the same subject, now lost, commissioned in 1529 by Alfonso d'Este, Duke of Ferrara. It is likely that this model was once the cover for an inkstand; a complete inkstand, probably the example from the A. Ricard de Montferrand sale, sold at Christie's, 14th November 1859, no. 13, is now in the Wallace collection, London. This example, along with another in the Museo Civico Medievale, Bologna, are illustrated together with the present lot in Professor Guidotti's article, op. cit.