Italian, 17th/ 18th century

Overall the condition of the bronze is good. There is wear and some minor dirt to the surface consistent with age. There are several layers of lacquer patinas which have rubbing, scratching and flaking in areas. There is some white and yellow pigment on the proper left haunch and neck. The tail was replaced. There is a stable fissure and some bending to the proper right ear. The feet on the ground have integrally cast square bases. The horse is slightly loose on its base. The base has wear and losses to the paint throughout particularly along the lower rim. There is some worming consistent with material. There are minor restorations to the corners and along the top.
"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."

This fine bronze statuette is based on Giambologna's Horse Pacing, a model which relates to the sculptor's monument to Cosimo I in the Piazza della Signoria, Florence (1587-93). In contrast to the Cosimo I monument, the present horse has a classicising hogged mane, which lends to it a clean silhouette and is reminiscent of the Horses of St Mark's. The present bronze compares closely with a statuette attributed to Prieur in the Robert H. Smith Collection, particularly in the cropped mane with flowing forelock and unbound locks at the base of the neck (op.cit. Radcliffe and Penny, no. 40). The veining to the body of the horse is also very similar to that seen in the bronze from the Smith Collection. Another horse with a cropped mane in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (inv. 24.212.23) is of a very similar size (height: 24.8cm) and has analogous trumpet shaped-ears. The fine casting of the present bronze is evidenced by the inclusion of subtle details such as the splint bones in the horse's forelegs.

RELATED LITERATURE
C. Avery and A. Radcliffe (eds.), Giambologna 1529-1609. Sculptor to the Medici, exh. cat. Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh/ V&A, London/ Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, 1978, no. 154, p. 176; A. Radcliffe and N. Penny, Art of the Renaissance Bronze 1500-1650, cat. Robert H. Smith Collection, London, 2004, no. 40, p. 226