Italian, Padua, circa 1500

with the arms of Cardinal Francesco Todeschini Piccolomini (1439-1503), later Pope Pius III

Overall the condition of the bronze is good with wear and dirt to the surface consistent with age and handling including minor nicks and scratches throughout. There is wear to the patina at the edges and high points such as the Medusas' noses. There are a few minor lacunae to the back edge of the lid due to casting flaws. The top corners of the body of the casket are slightly open. Two of the divisions on the inside may have been inserted later and were reattached. There are some areas of greening on the inside. Three of the legs were reattached and are uneven.
"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 is a fine cast of a casket of which several versions are known, including examples in the Louvre, Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Frick Collection. It is unique, however, for the inclusion of coats of arms where usually classical heads are riveted to the outside. Radcliffe's entry on the version in the Thyssen-Bornemisza collection contains a comprehensive discussion of sources for the design and its old attributions (op. cit.). The hammered underside is original, and is entirely consistent with the best Renaissance examples.

RELATED LITERATURE
J. Pope-Hennessy, Renaissance bronzes from the Samuel H. Kress collection, Washington, 1965, pp. 133-134, no. 491, figs. 478-480; W. D. Wixom (ed.), Renaissance bronzes from Ohio collections, exhib. cat. Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, 1975, no. 76; A. Radcliffe et al., The Thyssen-Bornemisza collection. Renaissance and later sculpture, London, 1992, pp. 194-203, no. 31