Carlo Marochetti

Formerly in the collection of the High Commission of India

Overall the condition of the bronze is good, with minor dirt and wear to the surface with age. The tip of the proper left shoe is lost. There is a scratch to the proper right thigh, and some more minor scratches, including to the proper right cheek. There is minor rubbing in areas such as the edges of the seat. There are a few nicks to the edges of the base, as well as some minor spots of greening.
"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."

Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy (1783-1859) was a Parsee businessman who made his fortune by dealing in textiles and opium. Known for being a benefactor, he was responsible for the founding of a hospital and a school, amongst others. A lifesize marble of the present model of Sir Jamsetjee, completed in 1858, is in the Old Town Hall in Mumbai. The present bronze is a reduction of a statue which can still be seen on the Veer Nariman Road in Mumbai, which was formerly loaned to the Vicotria and Albert Museum (1868-1934). A smaller version is at the Sir JJ Hospital. Sir Jamsetjee received his baronetcy from Queen Victoria, who can be seen on the medal pinned to his chest. 

The Marochetti foundry was not known for casting bronzes of this size. It is therefore possible that the present bronze was cast by Morel Ladeuil, who is known to have worked on one of Marochetti's smaller bronzes of this model. A bronze version of Sir Jamsetjee, described as 'Statuette of Sir Jamsetjee Jejebehoy [sic], seated in a chair' was sold as part of the contents of Marochetti's studio after his death in 1868 (Christie, Manson and Woods, 7 May 1868, lot 89), but as there is no image nor measurements included in this entry, there is no way of determining whether this is the same object as the present bronze. 

RELATED LITERATURE
I. Roscoe, A Biographical Dictionary of Sculptors in Britain, 1660-1851, London, 2009, p. 804; P. Ward-Jackson, Carlo Marochetti, The Works, online catalogue, available at http://www.fineartfacts.com/#Workgroup17 [page last accessed 08/06/2017]