Italian, 17th century

John Postle Heseltine, London (1843-1929);
Professor Michael Jaffé CBE (1923-1997), Cambridge, United Kingdom;
and thence by family descent;
on loan to the Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom (1976 - 2016)

W. Bode, The Italian Bronze Statuettes of the Renaissance, New Edition, James D. Draper (ed.), New York, 1980, p. 90, pl. XXIII

Overall the condition of the bronze is good, with some wear and dirt to the surface consistent with age. There is minor rubbing to the lacquer patina at the high points. There are a few small lacunae, including to the proper right thigh. There is a hole to the attribute in the proper left hand, which probably would have held a now-lost part. There is some minor greening in areas.
"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."

The present bronze was published by Bode in 1912 in his Italian Bronze Statuettes of the Renaissance with an attribution to Bartolomeo Bellano (1437/8 - 1496/7). The revised list of plates by James D. Draper catalogues the bronze as 'Old Woman with a Dog: Invidia (?) Probably Central Italian, about 1630' (op. cit). An extraordinary characterisation, the bronze recalls figures by the Master of the Bull Hunt, who operated in Naples in the late 17th century. Compare, for example, with the Allegory of the Turkish Wars, published by Warren (op. cit., p. 210, fig. 2), with analogous reclining figure with outstretched hand. The figure may be inspired by the Roman bronze Girl with Serpent in the Archaeological Museum, Florence (inv. no. 2292).

RELATED LITERATURE
J. Warren, Beauty and Power: Renaissance and Baroque Bronzes from the Peter Marino Collections, exh. cat. Wallace Collection, London, 2010, p. 210, fig. 2