Attributed to the workshop of Francesco di Simone Ferrucci (1437-1493) Italian, Florence, second half 15th century

Baroness Mathilde Hannah von Rothschild, Frankfurt am Main, until 1924;
and thence by family descent

Overall the condition of the terracotta is very good with some wear and dirt to the surface consistent with age. There is some flaking to the polychromy throughout, particularly at the Child's proper left leg, some areas have been overpainted, including at the Virgin's proper right sleeve. There is an area of restoration running along both necks of the figures. There are a minor chips to the edges of the drapery and the lower edge of the base. The space between the frame and the relief was filled with plaster painted dark blue. The wood frame has wear to the gilding and losses to the polychromy due to craquelure throughout. The gilding on the top edge is possibly unstable. The frame was made in sections; slightly open joints are visible at both ends of the columns. There has been some worming consistent with material, particularly on the reverse. There are two naturally occurring splits to the back board on either side of the Virgin's head. There is an iron ring for hanging fixed to the reverse.
"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 composition of the present relief follows that of the marble roundel with the Madonna and Child crowning the Tomb of Barbara Manfredi in the Church of San Mercuriale in Forli carved by Francesco di Simone Ferrucci around 1465. The Virgin holds the drapery at her stomach whilst supporting the Christ Child at his buttocks with her left hand as he tousles with the ends of her veil. The composition is seen again on the Tomb of Gianfrancesco Olivio in the Church of San Francesco in Montefiorentino of 1478-1480 and a marble lunette in the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam dated to circa 1456-1470 by Pisani (inv. no. BK 16975, op.cit., figs. 40-41). According to Vasari, Ferrucci was born in Fiesole and trained under Verrocchio before establishing himself in Florence and supplying sculptures for many churches in the surrounding countryside. The marble relief of the Virgin and Child by Verrocchio in the Palazzo Communale in Solarolo does indeed seem to be a predecessor of the present composition.

RELATED LITRATURE
L. Pisani, Francesco di Simone Ferrucci. Itinerari di uno scultore fiorentino fra Toscana, Romagna e Montefeltro, Florence, 2007, figs. 39-41 and 76

The present lot is offered with a thermoluminescence analysis report from Oxford Authentication Ltd dated 8 May 2014 stating that the sample (No: N114d16) was last fired between 300 and 600 years ago.