Francesco Terilli (active 1596-1633) Italian, Feltre or Venice, circa 1600

The Virgin monogrammed: .F.F.F. to the underside
Saint John monogrammed: F.T.F. and inscribed: 316 in pencil to the underside

Private collection, Kensington, London, by 1968;
the present owner

Overall the condition of the ivories is good, with minor dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. There is minor stable hairline splitting consistent with the material, notably around the lower legs of both figures and to their backs. There is an area to the Virgin's proper right shoulder at the back which may be the tip of the root canal. There are small holes to both figures on the underside; in the Virgin's case with some fill. There are a few minor nicks and scratches, including to the Virgin's back.
"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."

Francesco Terilli was a North Italian sculptor active principally in Feltre and to a minor extent in Venice. Many of Terilli's surviving works are found around Feltre, including three sculptures, Christ the Redeemer, Saint Peter, and Saint Prodoscimo in Feltre Cathedral. He worked in wood and bronze as well as ivory, and a number of his works are signed, which was an unusual practice in Italy during this period.

The pair of ivory figures of Saint John and the Virgin are among the rare works that bear the sculptor's monogram. They are signed respectively F.T.F. - Francesco Terilli Fecit - and F.F.F. - Francesco Feltrinensis Fecit - the adjective 'Feltrinensis' suggesting that he was a native of Feltre. An almost identical pair of figures bearing the same monograms is housed in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna (inv. nos. KK 4534 and 4536). Only small details, such as the positioning of the fingers and the shape of the terrasses, differ between these and the present ivories. It may be inferred that Terilli executed certain models in several versions to meet the demand for private devotional sculpture among his clientele. The precise carving - note the crispness of the buttons on Saint John's shirt - and beautifully rendered emotion in the faces demonstrate that such serial executions by the master remained of remarkably fine quality.

RELATED LITERATURE
G. Biasuz, Francesco Terilli, Feltre, 1988