ATTRIBUTED TO SEVERO CALZETTA DA RAVENNA (ACTIVE 1496-1543)ITALIAN, PADUA, FIRST HALF 16TH CENTURY | Inkwell and Oil Lamp in the form of Atlas supporting the Globe of Heaven

with a label to the underside inscribed: 55

Stefano Bardini, Florence;
his sale, Christie, Manson & Woods, London, 5 June 1899, lot 6

D. Smith, 'I bronzi di Severo da Ravenna: un approccio tecnologico per la cronologia', in M. Ceriana and V. Avery (eds.), L'Industria Artistica del Bronzo del Rinascimento a Venezia e nell'Italia Settentrionale, Verona, 2007, pp. 49-80, p. 71, fig. 40

Overall the condition of the bronze is very good, with some wear and dirt to the surface consistent with age. There is wear to the lacquer patina throughout, including rubbing at the high points, and some flaking to the base. There are several minor nicks and scratches, including to Atlas' back. The lid of the oil lamp detaches. The lid of the inkwell is lost. The pen holder was possibly added later. The penholder, inkwell, and and Atlas figure rotate slightly in their settings but are stable. There are three reddish circular copper(?) plugs to the base. There are a few further original casting plugs, notably one at Atlas' proper right shoulder. There are a few minor casting fissures, including to Atlas' proper left ankle. There is minor greening in areas, including to Atlas' proper right hand and to the interior of the oil lamp.
"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 one of only a few complete versions of Severo da Ravenna's Atlas supporting the globe of Heaven. What is considered to be the prime example is a larger version in the Frick Collection (inv. no. 15.2.24), while another of the same size as the present cast was sold in these rooms on 5 December 2012 (lot 39).

Though not equal in detail and finesse, the present cast is close in quality to the Frick example, as is seen particularly in the modelling of the face, hair and beard. The putto surmounting the oil lamp - according to Krahn (op. cit.), to be interpreted as Christ - is also similar to the Frick example, though not identical. Numerous incomplete and less fine survivals of the model exist in public and private collections, among which the Atlas in the Bode Museum (inv. no. M 39/100) is one of few that approach the quality of the present example.  RELATED LITERATURE
J. Pope-Hennessy and A. Radcliffe, Sculpture in the Frick collection, cat. Frick Collection, New York, 1970, pp. 106-111; V. Krahn, Bronzetti veneziani. Die venezianischen Kleinbronzen der Renaissance aus dem Bode-Museum Berlin, Berlin, 2003, pp. 72-75 and 72-75, no. 15