An Italian bronze figure of Cleopatra after a model by Baccio Bandinelli (1493-1560), from the workshop of Severo Calzetta da Ravenna (1465/1475-before 1538), 16th century

golden patina beneath dark brown lacquer, upon ebonized wood socle.

The Burlington Fine Arts Club, London
Sir William Bennett Collection, sold American Art Association, Anderson Galleries, New York, April 29-30, 1939, no. 169

The Burlington Fine Arts Club, London, 1910
The Burlington Fine Arts Club, London, 1912
San Francisco, M.H. de Young Memorial Museum, Renaissance and Baroque Bronzes from the Abbott Guggenheim Collection, 3 March-11 September 1988, cat. no. 3

The Burlington Fine Arts Club, Catalogue of a Collection of Italian Sculpture, London, 1912, pl. XXXVI
L. Camins, Renaissance and Baroque Bronzes from the Abbott Guggenheim Collection, San Francisco, 1988, no. 3, pp. 20-22
N. Penny, Catalogue of European Sculpture in the Ashmolean Museum, Vol. I, Oxford, 1992, p. 11
M. H. Schwartz (ed.), European Sculpture from the Abbott Guggenheim Collection, New York, 2008, no. 15, pp. 44-45

Standard wear, dents and casting flaws. Original lead plugs on both upper thighs, between buttocks and upper back. Old copper plugs on front of both feet with remains of dark lacquer. Minor chipping to base. Otherwise overall good condition.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This figure is based upon a bronze by Baccio Bandinelli with Medici provenance in the Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence.  The modeling, facial type, and casting technique are consistent with the workshop of Severo da Ravenna.  Although the figure has sometimes been interpereted as Eve with the serpent, Penny (op. cit.) notes that the snake in her right hand "seems more inclined to bite than to whisper."  Other examples from Severo's workshop are in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, the Museo Nazionale di Capodimonte, Naples, and three serve as supports for a candelabrum in the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco (61.35).