Italian, 17th century After Giambologna (1529-1608)

on an ebonized wood plinth

Overall the condition of the bronze is excellent. There is some minor wear consistent with age. There are minor casting flaws to the right horn and the tail. The hoofs touching the base have holes in them from an old mount. The condition of the brass inlaid, ebonised base is excellent.
"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."

Although the model of the Bull was not included in the early lists of Giambologna's works by Baldinucci (1688) and Markus Zeh (1611), it is attributed to Giambologna based on a comparison to his model of a Lion Attacking a Bull and on a reference in Benedetto Gondi's inventory of 1609, proving that Giambologna did model a standing bull. The Lion Attacking a Bull model appears on both Baldinucci and Zeh's lists and the treatment of the bull's anatomy closely follows that of the Bull.

The powerful model was repeated by the next generations of sculptors and disseminated throughout the princely courts of Europe.

RELATED LITERATURE
C. Avery and A. Radcliffe, Giambologna 1529-1608: Sculptor to the Medici, exh. cat. Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1978, p. 192, no. 177