NORTH ITALIAN, PROBABLY LOMBARD CIRCA 1500 | BUST OF A WOMAN

The heavily-lidded eyes and overall modeling of the face relate to Lombard sculpture of the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Compare an anonymous terracotta head of a pope in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (Pope-Hennessy 1964, op. cit., fig. 399) catalogued as "Lombard second half 15th century" with similarly incised pupils and irises, high arched brows and a classically straight nose with flared nostrils.

The thorough modeling of the tresses of hair and excessive folds in the drapery are distinctive as is the integrally modeled base with recessed oval compartments, probably meant to be inlaid with gems or hardstones.

This lot is sold with a copy of a Thermoluminescence Analysis Report from Oxford Authentication indicating that sample no. N119j25 was last fired between 300 and 600 years ago.

RELATED LITERATURE

John Pope-Hennessy, Catalogue of Italian Sculpture in the Victoria and Albert Museum, vol. III, London, 1964, p. 244, fig. 399