Workshop of Barthélémy Prieur (Berzieux Champagne 1536 - 1611) French, early 17th century

chocolate brown patina

Sotheby's, London, 5 July 2000, lot 22 

Standard rubbing and surface abrasions. Remains of black lacquer. Overall nice golden light brown patina. Old casting flaw below neck. Minor chipping to base.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Formerly regarded as by  'the Master of the Genre figures' which Jestaz subsequently linked to a French or Franco-Flemish workshop, these bronzes are now generally accepted as being by Barthélémy Prieur. This model forms part of a group which includes a man standing on his hands and a man carrying a child, an example of which is in the Huntington Library, San Marino, California. Anthony Radcliffe noted the presence of the walking man and an acrobat in the Inventory of Le Notre and attributes these bronzes to the French school of the early seventeenth century. Other examples of this figure are in the Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin, Ohio and the Badisches Landesmuseum, Karlsruhe and one was sold in these rooms on the 15th December 1999. 

RELATED LITERATURE
H.R. Weihrauch, Europaische Bronzestatuetten 15.-18. Jahrhundert, Brunswick, 1967
B. Jestaz, 'Travaux recents sur les bronzes, II, renaissance septentrionale et Baroque', Revue de l'Art, 1970, no.9, pp.78ff. no.112
A. Radcliffe, The Rogers and Cotton bequest, Plymouth and City Museum and Art Gallery, exh. cat., London, 1979 no.3