Attributed to the Workshop of Severo Calzetta da Ravenna (active 1496-1543) Italian, Padua, first half 16th century

Sotheby's London, 7 April 1970, lot 88 (as Andrea Riccio)

The figure was cast in sections; joints are visible at the proper left elbow, proper left shin, and the candlestick in the hand. The lower left leg is possibly replaced. A black lacquer patina was added later. This has rubbed and flaked, particularly at the high points. At the proper right hoof this has revealed some verdigris. There are some minor nicks, including at the proper left shoulder and the back. There is a possible repair to the proper right upper leg. Otherwise the condition of the bronze is stable. Overall the condition of the wood base is good with wear and some dirt in the crevices and on the top surface. There is a scratch on the top surface due to the moving of the bronze. There are a few minor chips to the edges.
"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."

Since Planiscig's identification in 1935 of the signature O.SEVERI.RA on a bronze sea-monster with the sculptor Severo da Ravenna, a coherent corpus of bronze statuettes has been attributed to this contemporary of Andrea Riccio. Fifty years later a bronze of a kneeling satyr with the initials SE was convincingly identified as a second autograph model by Severo (Christie's, 8 July 1981, lot 341). The model had previously been attributed to Andrea Riccio by Planiscig (op. cit., p. 330, figs. 381 and 382). The present kneeling satyr compares closely with the initialled example, especially in the treatment of the teeth, eyelids and the beautifully cast-in tufts of fur on the legs. The model is sometimes seen with a celestial globe.

RELATED LITERATURE 
L. Planiscig, Andrea Riccio, Vienna, 1927, p. 330, figs. 381 and 382; D. Smith, 'I bronzi di Severo da Ravenna: un approccio tecnologico per la cronologia,' in M. Ceriana and V. Avery, L'Industria artistica del bronzo del rinascimento a Venezia e nell'Italia settentrionale,Venice, 2008, p. 49-80, figs.19, 20, 38-41, 46-47; J. Pope-Hennessy, The Frick Collection, vol.3, Princeton, 1968, pp. 106-111; E. van Binnebeke, Bronssculptuur. Beeldhouwkunst 1500-1800 in de collectie van het Museum Boymans-van Beuningen, Rotterdam, 1994, pp. 52-3, no. 5; V. Krahn, Bronzetti Veneziani. Die Venezianischen Kleinbronzen der Renaissance aus dem Bode-Museum Berlin, ex. cat. Cologne, 2003, pp.72-75, no.15