Attributed to the workshop of Nicolò Roccatagliata (circa 1560-1629) and Sebastian Nicolini (active until after 1636) Italian, Venice, early 17th century

Karl-Anton Herschel;
his sale, Sotheby's London, 7 July 1988, lot 65;
private collection;
its sale; Sotheby's New York, 24 January 2008, lot 145

Overall the condition of the bronze is good, with some dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age, including dust throughout the base. There is wear to the lacquer patina, which has partially flaked in most areas. There is also minor rubbing to the patina at the high points. There are a few stable fissures, consistent with casting, notably to Venus' proper left elbow and to her proper right ankle. There are also some small lacunae, including to Venus' proper right knee. One of the dragon heads on the lower base is lost.
"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."

Weihrauch (op. cit.) attributed the present composition to Danese Cattaneo (1509-1573), a Tuscan pupil of Sansovino and master of Girolamo Campagna, recording three versions in Cleveland, Reichenberg and Chicago. Since then this attribution has largely been retained; however, recent reassessments of Venetian bronzes of this type would point instead to an origin among the workshop of Nicolò Roccatagliata. Indeed a previously cited comparison for the figure of Venus, a relief for the Tomb of Doge Leonardo Loredan, was formerly attributed to Cattaneo and Campagna but is now given to Nicolò Roccatagliata and his son, Sebastian Nicolini (Kryza-Gersch, op. cit.). Compare also related models attributed to Roccatagliata, such as Venus Chastising Cupid in the Museo del Castello del Buonconsiglio, Trent (inv. no. 3453). The existence of several versions of varying quality, such as those sold in these rooms on 21 April 1994 (lot 33) and at Christie's New York on 28 January 2009 (lot 18), suggests that the present model may have been cast by the workshop over some time. The example shown here is among the finest that have appeared on the market and differs from most other versions in Venus' attribute of a heart instead of an apple. 

RELATED LITERATURE
H. R. Weihrauch, Europäische Bronzestatuetten, Braunschweig, 1967, p. 143, fig. 164; M. Leithe-Jasper and P. Wengraf (eds.), European Bronzes from the Quentin Collection, exh. cat. Frick Collection, New York, 2004, pp. 102-107; C. Kryza-Gersch, 'Due altari seicenteschi a San Marco: Nicolò Roccatagliata e Sebastiano Nicolini, e la produzione di ornamenti in bronzo per le chiese veneziane', in M. Ceriana and V. Avery (eds.), L'Industria artistica del bronzo del Rinascimento a Venezia e nell'Italia settentrionale, Verona, 2008, pp. 253-272, fig. 23