Italian, Naples, late 17th/ 18th century

inscribed: IDEO IVSTI TVLERVNT SPOLIA Sop.X

Overall the condition of the alabaster is good. There is wear and dirt to the surface consistent with age and material. There are restored breaks to the Saints proper left wingtip, hand, knees, ankles and the cloak near the saint's hips and at the underside. The devil's proper right wing and ankles were reattached and a section is missing from his proper right upper leg. The group was carved separately from the base. Two scrolls on yhe bottom right side of the base were reattached as was the support at the reverse. There are a few minor losses to the group, including a feather on the proper left side of the saint's helmet, the wingtips of both major figures, some of the devils's toes, and to the edges of the scrollwork. There is some naturally occurring veining visible on the surface, including at the Mouth's proper left cheek.
"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 impressive carving of the drapery, feathers on the helmet, cuirass and lappets compares closely to the equally fanciful St George and the Dragon kept in a niche just right of the high altar in the Palermo Cathedral illustrated in Bertelli (op.cit.)

The inscription on the base is taken from the second sentence of Wisdom of Solomon 10:19, which reads: "But their enemies she drowned in the sea, and from the depth of hell she brought them out. Therefore the just took the spoils of the wicked. But she drowned their enemies, and cast them up out of the bottom of the deep."

RELATED LITERATURE
C. Bertelli, Immagini dagli elenchi telefonici, Turin, 1992, p. 179