Attributed to the workshop of Severo Calzetta da Ravenna (active circa 1496-1543), Paduan, first half 16th century

Miksa Schiffer Collection, Budapest;
Sotheby's, 16 May 1958, lot 38

László Mravik, The "Sacco di Budapest" and Depredation of Hungary 1938-1949, Budapest, 1998, p. 406, no. 59667

Overall the condition of the bronze is good. There is some wear and minor dirt to the surface consistent iwth age and handling with some areas of particular rubbing to the underside, the shell and back of the head. The shell was possibly reattached with the use of a differetn metal and a lead small patch is visible on the top of the head.
"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."

Of the known versions of this model, the present cast can be most closely compared with a bronze in the Abbott Guggenheim Collection, New, York. The signed example is in the Frick Collection, New York. Thought to be inspired by one of Mantegna's sea monsters from his Battle of the Sea Gods engravings, the anthropomorphic face of Severo's fantastical marine creature stares upwards with an anguished expression. The presence of an inkwell in the form of a shell indicates that this bronze was designed for practical use in the studiolo.

RELATED LITERATURE
Bronssculptuur. Beeldhouwkunst 1500-1800 in de collectie van het Museum Boymans-van Beuningen, ed. E. Von Binnebeke, Rotterdam, 1994, pp. 50-51;
P. M. de Winter, 'Recent Accessions of Italian Renaissance Decorative Arts. Part I: Incorporating Notes on the Sculptor Severo da Ravenna', Bulletin of The Cleveland Museum of Art, volume 37, number 3, March 1986, pp. 75-138;
European Sculpture from the Abbott Guggenheim Collection, ed. M. H. Schwartz, New York, 2008, pp. 40-41