PROBABLY SOUTHERN GERMAN, 17TH/ 18TH CENTURY | Saint Sebastian

Professor Michael Jaffé CBE (1923-1997), Cambridge, United Kingdom;
and thence by family descent;
on loan to the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, 2008-2013

Overall the condition of the bronze is good, with minor dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. There is wear to the lacquer patina, in particular rubbing at the high points. There are some slightly open but stable casting fissures, notably around the proper right knee and to the proper right forearm. There are several minor nicks and scratches, including to the proper right arm, the proper right hip, the proper left thigh, and the proper right elbow. An original stable casting joint is slightly visible at the proper left shoulder. The bronze is slightly loose, but stable, on the marble base. The marble base is in very good condition with minor wear, including a few small chips.
"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."

A similar version of the present bronze is in the Victoria and Albert Museum (inv. no. A.111-1910) and was attributed by Planiscig to Gianfrancesco Susini (circa 1585- after 1653). This attribution has since been revised, and the V&A example has more recently been tentatively described by the Museum as French. A less fine cast of the model is preserved in the Cleveland Museum of Art, Ohio (inv. no. 1972.23). Wixom catalogued it as German, possibly Augsburg, circa 1530-1540, and argued it might be the prototype for later casts, such as that in London. The Cleveland example is now listed on the Museum's website as German, 1600s or later, and the dense, stylised curls of hair might support such an origin of the model. Other versions include one formerly in the Castiglioni collection, Vienna, and one in gilt bronze formerly with Daniel Katz Ltd.

RELATED LITERATURE
L. Planiscig, Sammlung Camillo Castiglioni, Vienna, 1923, no. 91; L. Planiscig, Piccoli Bronzi Italiani del Rinascimento, Milan, 1930, fig. 377; W. Wixom, Renaissance Bronzes from Ohio Collections, Cleveland, 1975, no. 179; http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O106659/st-sebastian-statuette-unknown/ [accessed 17 May 2018]; http://www.clevelandart.org/art/1972.23 [accessed 17 May 2018]