SOUTHERN GERMAN, PROBABLY AUGSBURG, LATE 16TH CENTURY | Leaping Horse

Professor Michael Jaffé CBE (1923-1997), Cambridge, United Kingdom;
and thence by family descent;
on loan to the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, 1999-2003

Overall the condition of the bronze is good, with minor dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. There appear to be some well-concealed restorations to the legs, and a lacquer has been applied in some areas. There are a few small nicks and scratches to the surface, including tho the horse's back. There are some minor lacunae and hairline fissures, consistent with casting. There are a few minor losses to the hairs at the end of the tail. There is some oxidation to the bronze at the back of the horse's neck, and the patina is slightly dry here. There is some whitish residue in the crevices of the mane and tail and the eyes. The veined marble base is in good condition overall, with very minor chips and abrasions to the edges and corners.
"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 finely cast bronze compares to three Leaping Horses in the Herzog Anton Ulrich-Museum, Braunschweig (inv. nos. Bro 142-144) and another by Hans Reisinger in the Württembergisches Landesmuseum, Stuttgart (inv. no. KK weiß 25). For the chasing denoting fur, compare several other Augsburg bronzes of animals (e.g. op. cit., no. 167).

RELATED LITERATURE
U. Berger and V. Krahn (eds.), Bronzen der Renaissance und des Barock, cat. Herzog Anton Ulrich-Museum Braunschweig, 1994, pp. 210-211 and 214-215, nos. 167 and 173-176