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

with an old paper label printed: /5 and a paper label to the back inscribed in pen: 38

There is dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. There are some larger losses to the glaze to the back of the head and to the ears. There is a restored break running from the bottom left to the top right of the relief, clearly visible from the back. It is difficult to discern the nature of the break at the head. There are a few stable fissures in the glaze, including to the head, possibly caused by the break. There are a number of further areas of restoration, including to the edge of the roundel, the leaves and to the head. The border is composed of four segments and joints are visible. There are small losses and chips to the edges of the foliage and fruits throughout. There are holes in the sides for mounts. There are stable restorations to the reverse of the relief. The interior wall of one of the segments of the border (top right seen from behind) has been lost and there are lesser losses to the other interior walls. There is an iron mount to the back with a hook.
"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 impressive roundel compares closely with another from Giovanni della Robbia's workshop representing Agrippa, which was sold in these rooms on 9th July 2008 (lot 61). The portrait in the present roundel can be identified as that of the Roman Emperor Vespasian (9-79CE). Giovanni della Robbia was responsible for a number of portrait roundels with celebrated figures from Antiquity (including the roundel with the bust of Menander in this sale). These are exemplified by his roundel with the heads of Julia, Augustus and Agrippa in the Victoria and Albert Museum (inv. no. 369-1864). All such roundels compare with a series of documented busts of saints produced by Giovanni for the Certosa di Galluzzo, Florence in 1523.

The present lot is offered with a thermoluminescence analysis report from Oxford Authentication Ltd dated 26 January 2012 stating that the sample (No: N112a19) was last fired between 300 and 600 years ago, i.e. between 1412 and 1712 AD.

RELATED LITERATURE
J. Pope-Hennessy, Catalogue of Italian Sculpture in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1964, no. 234, p. 235