Simon Troger (1683-1768), Austrian, mid-18th century

Overall the condition of the wood and ivory is good. There is wear and dirt to the surface consistent with age. There are minor, naturally occurring, stable hairline fissures visible on the ivories. The group was carved in sections joints are visible throughout. Ther top left putto and the proper left arm of Omphale are slightly loose. The putto on the top left and Hercules both have one eye missing from its socket. There is a restoration to the ring finger on the proper left hand of Hercules. An attribute is missing from Omphale's lap; the other attributes are loose. There are a few minor fissures to the wood, including the drapery at the bench on the far left and along the top. There are a few small worm holes to the drapery at the top.
"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 Austrian sculptor Simon Troger is widely regarded as having produced some of the most impressive and distinctive virtuoso ivory carving of the eighteenth century. He trained in the workshop of Schmiedecker in Merano, and worked in Innsbruck, before settling in Munich where he was employed by Andreas Faistenberger and later set up his own workshop in Haidhausen. Troger's work is characterised by the technique of combining of ivory, wood and glass to create representations of beggars and bucolic characters. Commissioned by patrons including Maximilian III Joseph, Prince Elector of Bavaria, Troger's figures appear in the collections of many European Museums.

The present group is a particularly rare work by Troger. Rather than presenting a rustic scene, the artist depicts two prominent figures from Greek mythology, Hercules and Omphale. Hercules is represented assisting Omphale with spinning wool, a characterisation that is probably drawn from Ovid's androgynistic portrayal of Hercules as Omphale's slave, forced by her to perform women's work. The arrangement of the figures, together with the presence of a canopy, supported by putti, and a defined ivory background gives the piece a distinctively tableau-like appearance, reminiscent of a theatre set. An almost identical scene by Troger can be found in the Tiroler Landesmuseum Ferdinandeum in Innsbruck, along with a similarl group depicting Chronos and Veritas. Impressive in their lavish use of ivory, works such as these are thought to have been commissioned as gifts by wealthy patrons.

RELATED LITERATURE
E. von Philippovich, Elfenbein, Munich, 1982, pp. 319-331; E. von Philippovich, 'Kombinationsfiguren aus Elfenbein und Holz', Kunst in Hessen und am Mittelrhein, vol. 17, 1997, pp. 27-35