Workshop of Giovanni della Robbia (1469-1529), Italian, Florence, early 16th century

Heim Gallery, London, 1972

Sculptures of the 15th & 16th centuries, Heim Gallery, Summer 1972, no. 12

Overall the condition of the relief is good. There is wear and some dirt to the surface consistent with age. There are losses to the glaze, particularly around the noses, arms and feet of the Child. There are chips to the nose, proper right hand and big toes of Christ and to the drapery just above the elbow and index finger of the proper right hand of the Virgin and the left bottom corner. There is an area of restoration around the edge of the relief and the reverse is covered in a later layer of gesso. There is craquelure and wear throughout to the gilt section of the base. The velvet is slightly discouloured. Otherwise the condition of the base is good.
"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 present type of Madonna and Child is one of the rarest in the repertoire of the Della Robbia family. In 1923 Jacques Seligman offered another with a glazed terracotta frame from the monastic church at Castellina, near Castello, which was erected between 1500 and 1506. Seligman's relief was attributed to Giovanni by Marquand (op. cit. 1920). In The brothers of Giovanni della Robbia Marquand mentions a second, lesser example in the Lady Wantage collection, Berkshire. A third version in a heavy oak frame was sold in these rooms on 30 November 1945, lot 49. A slight variation with Christ standing on a cushion was sold at Sotheby's New York on 22 November 1985 while one which includes two cherubs and the Holy Spirit is in the Musée Adrien Dubouché in Limoges (inv. no. ADL. 5436).

A Thermoluminescence test carried out by Oxford Authentication on 17 February 2011 (sample no. N111b62) suggests that the relief was last fired between 400 and 700 years ago.

RELATED LITERATURE
A. Marquand, Giovanni della Robbia, Princeton, 1920, pp. 122-124, no. 128; T. A. Cook, Leonardo da Vinci, sculptor; an illustrated essay on the Albizzi Madonna, formerly known as the Signa Madonna, carved by Leonardo in 1478, London, 1923, p. 29, fig. F; A. Marquand, The brothers of Giovanni della Robbia, Princeton, 1928, p. 183; J.-R. Gaborit and M. Bormand, Les Della Robbia. Sculptures en terre cuite émaillée de la Renaissance italienne, exh. cat. Réunion des Musée Nationaux, 2002, pp. 99-100, no. IV. 4