Workshop of Severo Calzetta da Ravenna (active 1496-1543) Northern Italian, Padua or Ravenna, first half 16th century

Carlo De Carlo, Florence;
his sale, Eredi di Carlo De Carlo, Semenzato, Florence, 19 April 2001, lot 58

M. Scalini and A. Tartuferi, Un Tesoro Rivelato. Capolavori dalla collezione Carlo De Carlo, Florence 2001, p. 70, no. 51, pl. 26

Overall the condition of the bronze is good, with some wear and dirt to the surface consistent with age. There is some dryness to the lacquer patina in some of the crevices, in particular on the underside. The shell at the back is slightly loose when turned. There is minor oxidation to the inside of the shell and the metal nail with which it is attached to the body of the monster. There appear to be small losses to one of the ends of each fin, though they may have been cast this way. There are a few small lacunae, notably one to the tail.
"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 reconstruction of the oeuvre of Severo da Ravenna centres upon the bronze of a sea monster now in the Frick Collection, which bears the signature O. SEVERI. RA. Consequently, the various casts of sea monsters dependent from this prototype, which had previously been thought to be the work of a follower of Andrea Riccio and Bartolomeo Bellano, are now considered to have been produced by Severo's workshop. The present model was frequently adapted as an inkwell; a near identical arrangement is found in the Kunstgewerbemuseum, Berlin (see Krahn, op. cit., p. 69). The appearance of the head and scales in the present cast, however, is closer to an example in the Metropolitan Museum, New York (inv. no. 25.142.7).

RELATED LITERATURE
V. Krahn, Bronzetti veneziani. Die venezianischen Kleinbronzen der Renaissance aus dem Bode-Museum Berlin, Berlin, 2003, pp. 66-69, no. 13; D. Smith, 'I bronzi di Severo da Ravenna: un approccio technologico per la cronologia, in M. Ceriana and V. Avery, L'industria artistica del bronzo del Rinascimento a Venezia e nell'Italia settentrionale, Venice, 2008, pp. 49-80