French, late 17th/ early 18th century

Sotheby's London, 10 December 1987, lot 181

Overall the condition is good with dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. There are a few small losses to some of the details, including: to the woman's headdress and to her drapery at the proper right elbow; and to Ulysses' helmet, visor and plume. There are a few fresher looking small chips to Ulysses' skirt. There are chips along the sides, especially at the top left corner. There are a few smaller abrasions to some of the hands and feet. The top right corner has been reattached. There are painted restorations along the bottom edge. There are three slots for mounting to the bottom and top sides.
"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 intriguing relief appears to be inspired by an engraving by Melchior Küsel I (1626-c.1683) entitled Ajax competes with Ulysses for the arms of Achilles, no. 118 from his 1681 series Metamorphosis oder Ovidii des Poeten Wunderliche Verenderung. The figure of Ulysses in the present relief is near-identical in pose to the figure in the centre of the engraving, who presses his right hand to his breast, whilst raising his left arm. It is interesting to note that the ship in the right corner of the relief finds a parallel in a trireme, which similarly has a sloping mast, from engraving no 134 in the same series. The lines delineating water may further indicate the use of graphic sources.

Stylistically the present relief is reminiscent of the work of the French sculptor Christophe Veyrier (1637-1689). See, for example, his relief with The Family of Darius Before Alexander at Stowe, Buckinghamshire (Pope-Hennessy, op. cit.). The faces of Achilles and his wife are close to a pair of busts of a warrior and a woman, which were attributed to Veyrier and sold at Sotheby's New York on 9 November 2006, lot 105.

RELATED LITERATURE
J. Pope-Hennessy, 'A Relief by Veyrier at Stowe', Burlington Magazine, vol. 89, no. 530, May, 1947, pp. 134-135