GIOVANNI NICOLINI | Ebbro (Nymph and Satyr)

The artist;
by descent to his widow, Marcella Colignon-Nicolini;
her sale, to Pietro Palmieri, 28 January 1958;
by descent to his son, Alarico Palmieri;
acquired by the present owner in 1999

Overall the condition of the bronze is very good, with some dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. There is particular dirt in the crevices of the terrasse. There is an apparently original casting fissure to the faun’s proper right leg, to the area around his feet, and to the edge below his feet. Some fill may have been applied for stabilisation. There are a few other minor casting fissures, including to the edge of the base below the woman’s legs. There is slight wear to the patina in areas, including to the faun’s nose and eyebrows.
"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."

Born and raised in Palermo, Nicolini studied under Vincenzo Ragusa at the Museo Artistico Industriale. He later moved to Rome to work for Giulio Monteverde, where he won the National prize with his relief of Le Marie al Sepolcro and the sculptures La Meditazione and Il risveglio. His oeuvre ranges from  literary to historical and mythological subjects. He is mostly known for his sculptures in Rome, such as La Calabria (1907) and Trionfo Politico (1911). In London, his work Credi a me is kept at the Tate Gallery. Nicolini exhibited a work titled 'Satiro e Ninfa' in San Francisco in 1915, which may refer to the present lot (op. cit. p. 652).  RELATED LITERATURE
A. Panzetta, Nuovo Dizionario degli Scultori Italiani dell’Ottocento e del Primo Novecento, vol. 2, p. 651-652.