Attributed to Peter Pachmayr (1613-1672) Austrian, Vienna, circa 1660

detachable loin cloth and crown of thorns, also with 1812-1870 Milan control and standard marks

Overall the condition of the silver is very good. There is some wear and dirt to the surface consistent with age including some areas of tarnishing in the crevices. There are a number of minor scratches including around the holes at the feet and arms inside of the left arm at the elbow. There are a few minor lacunae including between the fingers and around the wrists. The perizonium and crown of thorns are mounted with gilt screws, the latter is slightly loose. The condition of the modern metal stand is excellent.
"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."

The Vienna master Peter Pachmayr became a permanent goldsmith at the imperial court of Leopold I (1640-1705) in Vienna between 1656 when the first record exists of his application for the position and September 1667 when his permanent monthly salary  of 25 Reichgulden payable until death, is recorded.  It is known that he supplied the court as an independent silversmith before becoming salaried, but at that time would have been subject to Guild rather than Court regulations. It is likely therefore that his figure of Christ crucified predates 1667 when Court regulations would not have required hallmarks.  Pachmayr is also known to have worked for the discerning Prince Karl Eusebius von Liechtenstein (1611-1684), in May and October of 1659. The few pieces that can be ascribed to his name include a silver-gilt mounted Rhinoceros horn cup, circa 1660 which was exhibited in Vienna in 1907 and a cup for the tin founders guild dated 1667 (the rhinoceros cup in Ausstellung alter Gold- und Silberschmiedearbeiten, k.k. Österreichisches Museum für Kunst und Industrie, April-Mai 1907 no. 927, illus. p. 333, exhibited by Dr. Karl Ritter von Mannagetta;  the tin founders cup in same museum publication, Kunst und Kunsthandwerk, 1909,  vol 6/7 p. 376.

The figure of Christ is associated with a number of bronze crucifixions and Calvary scenes attributed to the Genovese sculptor, Gugliemo Della Porta (1500-1577) which were reproduced in the 17^th century by Augsburg goldsmiths such as Matthias Wallbaum, and Jakob Anthoni . The latter made an altar (circa 1605) included a similar figure of Christ of comparable size as the present example for the private chapel of the elector of Bavaria, Maximilian I (1573-1651).  In Vienna, Pachmayr would have been aware of Della Porta’s Christ, not least because the latter had personally sent a bronze example to emperor Maximilian II (1527-1576) in 1569 (now in the imperial Ecclesiatical Treasury).  In 1677 Pachmayr is known to have made a model of St Joseph for the Carmelite monastery in Leopoldstadt, an area near Vienna named after the emperor, and in 1670 he sculpted a gold medal made to commemorate the foundation of the Leopoldkirche, built on the site of a synagogue after the temporary expulsion of the Jews in 1669. As author of the medal, Pachmayr is described as described as, `berümpten kaiserlichen Kammer-Goldschmid’ (celebrated Imperial Court goldsmith).

The Italian control mark indicates that the figure was in Milan between 1812 and 1870. There were periods when the Imperial court moved to Milan during this time, as the Austrian emperors had become kings of Lombardy-Venetia after the Congress of Vienna in 1815. Holy Roman Emperor Franz II, spent long periods in Milan and his son Ferdinand I was crowned there in September 1838.

RELATED LITERATURE
Ausstellung alter Gold- und Silberschmiedearbeiten, exh. cat. k.k. Österreichisches Museum für Kunst und Industrie, Vienna, April-May 1907, no. 927, illus. p. 333; Kunst und Kunsthandwerk, Vienna, 1909, vol 6/7 p. 376; A. Ilg, der Wiener Goldschmied Peter Pachmayr, Monatsblatt der Alterthums-Verreines zu Wien, Vienna, 1888, pp 10-12; V. Reitzner, Wien-Lexikon für Österreichische und Süddeutsche Kunst und Kunstgewerbe, Vienna, 1952, no. 328; H. Haupt, Von der Leidenschaft zum Schönen, Fürst Karl Eusebius von Liechtenstein 1611-1684, Bohlau, 1998, pp. 64-65; Das hof-und hofbefreite Handwerk im barocken Wien 1620-bis 1770, Innsbruck, 2007, p. 207

Sotheby's would like to thank Paulus Rainer, Elizabeth Schmuttermeier and Arthur Stoegmann for their assistance in cataloguing this lot.