ITALIAN, ROME, LATE 18TH/ EARLY 19TH CENTURYAFTER THE ANTIQUE | Pair of Furietti Centaurs

Overall the condition of the bronzes is good, with minor dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. The bronzes are cast in sections, and a few stable original joints are slightly visible, including at the younger centaur's proper right shoulder and the older centaur's neck and proper right front leg. There are a few small lacunae, as a result of casting, including to the back of the younger centaur's neck and to his staff. There are some minor casting fissures, including to the proper left front leg of the younger satyr. There are a few minor losses to the lacquer patina, including to the younger satyr's haunches on the proper left side, and the older satyr's proper right arm. There are some residues in the crevices of the faces and hair of both figures. The marble bases are in very good condition with minor general wear.
"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."

The present bronzes are reductions of the monumental grey-black marble centaurs which were excavated together at Hadrian's Villa in December 1736. They owe their name to Monsignor Giuseppe Alessandro Furietti, in charge of the excavations at Tivoli. The centaurs were extensively restored, and have been recorded in their present condition as early as 1738-39. Forming the pièces de resistance of Furietti's collection, he refused to sell them, even when pressured by the then Pope Benedict XIV. It is said that the Pope was so enraged by this slight, that he refused to promote Furietti to the rank of Cardinal. However, after Furietti's death, Pope Clement XIII did secure them for the Capitoline Museum, where they remain to this day. Bronze reductions of the famous centaurs were very much in vogue amongst the Grand Tour travellers of the 18th century, and both Righetti and Zoffoli cast reductions.  RELATED LITERATURE
F. Haskell and N. Penny, Taste and the Antique, The Lure of Classical Sculpture, 1500-1900, London, 1982, pp. 176-9