Southern Netherlandish, late 17th/ early 18th century

Overall, the condition of the bust is very good, with minor dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. There are areas of applied slip to the surface, including to the neck, in particular to the proper right side; these may conceal some restorations. There are some very small firing fissures, consistent with the casting technique, including to the chest and hair. there are a few small chips, including two to the moustache, and a few to the beard and to the drapery. There are also a few chips to the edges, including to the integral socle and the arms. There is some dirt or possible restorations to the hair at the back at the underside. There are also some possible restorations to the locks of hair at the fringe. The marble socle is associated. There may be restorations to the integral socle, in particular to the front and sides. There are some small chips to the hair, including to the back. There are some small holes, including to the hair. There are minor chips and wear to the socle.
"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."

This imposing bust of a bearded man in a fur coat has a commanding presence. Although possibly a portrait of a nobleman or a leading merchant, his status derivable from his luxurious coat, the man's slightly idealised features complicate the matter of his identification. 

These types of terracotta busts, truncated just below the chest, and with elaborate hair and drapery, were created in Flanders in the 17th and early 18th century. Influenced by the robust style of Rubens, sculptors such as Lucas Faydherbe (1617-1697) produced numerous classicised busts of mythological figures and contemporary nobility and leading citizens. Compare the separately carved, cylindrical tufts of hair on the present bust with a set of Gods and Goddesses, sold at Christie's London, 1 July 1997, particularly the hair and beard of the bust of Neptune. Furthermore, the fur coat with buttoned jacket, as seen on the present bust, are also apparent on the marble bust of Pieter Spiering, attributed to François Dieussart (inv. no. R.B.K. 1971-115a) and a bust of Grand Pensionary Johan van Oldebarnevelt (inv. no. N.G.760), attributed to Gerard van Opstal, both in the Rijksmuseum. 

RELATED LITERATURE
J. Leeuwenberg, Beeldhouwkunst in het Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, 1973, nos. 257 and 263