Description
ITALIAN, ROMAN MID 16TH CENTURY: GUGLIELMO DELLA PORTA (C.1500-1577) AND HIS CLOSE CIRCLE
ITALIAN, ROMAN MID 16TH CENTURY: GUGLIELMO DELLA PORTA (C.1500-1577) AND HIS CLOSE CIRCLE CHRIST AT THE COLUMN silver figurine, with minutely granulated surface to the skin, 8cm (3 1/8 in.) high, standing lashed against a silver-gilt fluted Corinthian column on a rectangular plinth., 13 cm. (5 1/8 in) high. The figure is set diagonally at 45 degrees to the square plinth below, mounted in its original, late Mannerist, ebony tabernacle, with silver-gilt appliques of (above) the Dove of the Holy Spirit descending against an integral pattern of rays of light; with (upper corners and below centre) three Cherubim; and the tabernacle flanked by a pair of repousse metal volutes, formerly silvered. Though slightly more ornate, this ebony tabernacle is closely related in style to that of a silver Mount Calvary in the Monastery of El Escorial, Madrid (inv. 10048054), see Coll & Cortes, 2012, p.109, fig 57. PROVENANCE: New York, Collection of the late Michael Hall., his sale Christie’s, New York…; Private collections. ADDITIONAL ATTACHED IMAGES: Image 2. - Victoria & Albert Museum, Image 3. - Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge. Image 4. Detail from a folio with five sketches for the Flagellation of Christ Fig. Image 5. another single sketch, more closely related to the present variation on the theme. Image 4 and 5 both from the Museum Kunstpalast, Duesseldorf, Small Sketchbook, folios 82 and 93. Image 6. ‘Coll & Cortes’ Christ, silver. Image 7. Michelangelo, Christ the Redeemer, Michelangelo, Christ the Redeemer, marble, San Vincenzo Martire, Bassano Romano. COMPARATIVE LITERATURE: W. Gramberg, Die Düsseldorfer Skizzenbücher des Guglielmo della Porta (Berlin, 1964)H.-W. Kruft, “Porta, della”, in J. Turner [ed.], The Dictionary of Art, London, 1996, vol. 25, pp. 255-57V.J. Avery, Renaissance and Baroque Bronzes from the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, exh.cat. Daniel Katz Gallery, London, 2002, pp. 151-53E.J. Olszewski, "Guglielmo della Porta”, in Antonia Bostrom [ed.], The Encyclopedia of Sculpture, New York/London, 2004, pp. 1333-36R. Coppel, C. Avery, M. Estella, Guglielmo della Porta: A Counter-Reformation Sculptor, exh. cat., Coll & Cortes, Madrid, 2012, pp. 40-41, fig.18; and pp.118-21, figs. 68-69. Examples with Christ in a dramatic contrapposto1] Cambridge, Fitzwilliam Museum: Bequeathed by C.B. Marlay, 1912, No. Mar M.265-1912(Avery, V. 2002, No. 19, pp. 151-153) – see Fig.22] Florence, Museo Nazionale del Bargello: Carrand Bequest, No. 752, silver, 9.5cm high (see R. Coppel, C. Avery & M. Estella, Madrid, 2012, Fig 45, p. 88)3] Formerly in the collection of Mr George Durlacher of Hilcote, Lancaster Road, Wimbledon, and then of his widow (sold Sotheby’s, 9 November 1938, lot 100) Victoria Avery in her 2002 catalogue of bronzes from the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, wrote of their example as follows (Image.3): ‘This unpublished silver figurine is clearly derived from a model by Guglielmo della Porta, a Lombard sculptor and bronzist who trained in Milan under his father, and then worked in Genoa, before settling in Rome where he found great favour with Pope Julius III Farnese. In 1547 Guglielmo was appointed to the Office of the Papal seal, a sinecure that he retained until his death in 1577. The Fitzwilliam Christ is identical in type, elongated proportions and pose to the free-standing protagonist of a multi-figural composition in high relief of the Flagellation of Christ in the Victoria & Albert Museum, London (see image.2) [as is the formerly Durlacher example]. The high relief composition is derived from a folio of five rapidly executed, but sensitive, sketches begun in chalk and finished in pen and ink for the Passion of Christ (Gramberg, 1964, Small Sketchbook, p. 82). Two represent scenes of the Flagellation, while three are excerpts of the focal figure of Christ at the Column. That on the lower right is closest to the figure as sculpted (Image 4). However, Rosario Coppel in the comprehensive catalogue of works by Della Porta presented in 2012 by Messrs Coll & Cortes (figs. 35 & 48-49) was the first person to describe a separately made silver figurine of virtually the same size (8.6cm) as ours (8cm) in another, larger, heterogeneous rendering of the Flagellation set within an octagonal ebony frame with a variety of ornaments. She also drew attention to the existence - on a slightly later page - of a separate sketch for a more soberly posed figure which accords more closely with the ‘Coll & Cortes’ and with the present version (Image 6), save for the fact that the Saviour’s hands are now lashed behind his back, presumably to avoid confusion with the folds of his loincloth in front. These figurines of Christ are not so agonizingly twisted about under the hail of blows from his savage executioners as in the narrative scenes or single figures discussed above. In a separate essay Charles Avery (pp. 128-29) remarked on the influence on Della Porta of Michel
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ITALIAN, ROMAN MID 16TH CENTURY: GUGLIELMO DELLA PORTA (C.1500-1577) AND HIS CLOSE CIRCLE
Estimate
4 500 - 5 500 GBP
Starting price
4 500 GBP
Sale fees: 25 %
Terms and Condition for Buyers
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
There is an additional 3% surcharge when bidding through Drouot, which is in addition to our 25% Buyer's premium.
- These Terms and Conditions apply to all transactions relating to the purchase of items by a bidder (referred to as “you”) at auction or as an auction after-sale by Curated Auctions Limited, trading as Curated Auctions (referred to as “we”), and may not be varied unless agreed in writing in advance by our director. By registering to bid and/or bidding you accept these terms.
- We act as agent for the seller whose identity we will not disclose, unless otherwise stated.
- When we offer items for consignment at auction, we will usually include in the auction listing a description of the lot and an estimate of potential sale value. Upon request we may also supply a condition report, which will be based on a visual inspection of each lot without disassembly or further investigation of physical condition, and on information available to us at the time. All information is provided after due consideration and to the best of our knowledge and experience, but cannot be taken as a statement of fact, a guarantee or statement of value or a guarantee or statement that mechanical or electrical parts are functioning correctly or at all.
- All measurements provided are approximate. Colours of any image depicted in any printed catalogue, on our website or otherwise may not appear the same as colours perceived on physical inspection.
- Lots offered for sale will be available for viewing in person at such place and times as are advertised before the auction. We always recommend inspection in person.
- You can attend the auction in person to bid, but please contact us in advance of arrival.
- Registration for each sale must be completed in advance of the auction by anyone wishing to bid. You may will be required to provide proof of identity and proof of address unless you are already known to us and have previously done so.
- Commission bids may be refused unless they have been accepted in advance of the auction.
- We may at our discretion accept bids from someone acting on behalf of a third party, subject to receiving a letter of authorisation which is satisfactory to us. In the event that such a bid is successful we reserve the right to treat either the bidder or the third party as the successful bidder for all purposes including as regards obtaining payment for the lot.
- Auctions are conducted according to our discretion and that of our auctioneer. We may refuse to allow access to the auction, refuse or accept any bid, alter the order of lots and/or the bidding in such way as we think best, withdraw any lot, reopen bidding after the hammer has fallen, determine who is the successful bidder, cancel the sale of any lot or otherwise regulate the auction and all associated proceedings as we deem most appropriate. Our decision in relation to any dispute relating to bidding which may arise during or after the auction is final.
- We may (but are not obliged to) offer bidding in person, by commission bids left with us in advance of the auction, by telephone, or online via our own or a third party platform. We will not in any event be liable for any failure to take a bid whether caused by breakdown of communications technology or otherwise.
- Both the auction as a whole and calls used for telephone bids may be recorded and such recordings may be retained by us and by participating in the same you consent to such recording and retention.
- Most lots are offered subject to a reserve below which the lot will not be sold. The level of the reserve is confidential between ourselves and our seller but will not be higher than the lower estimate.
- We may enter one or more bids consecutively or otherwise on behalf of the seller up to but not beyond the level of the reserve.
- Subject only to the auctioneer’s discretion set out in clause 9 above, when the auctioneer’s hammer falls no further bids will be accepted and a contract for sale is formed between the successful bidder and ourselves as agent for the seller.
- We will endeavour to send out invoices promptly by mail or email using the contact details supplied to us by the successful bidder. It is the buyer’s responsibility to check if they are the successful bidder. If you believe that you are the successful bidder for any lot but have not heard from us within three working days of the auction, we recommend that you contact us to arrange collection and avoid potential storage charges.
- We will charge a buyer’s fee of 25% on the hammer price of every lot, plus VAT. There is an additional 1% surcharge when bidding live through the website.
- Payment for each lot which you have purchased including all associated fees, charges and taxes is due no later than 7 calendar days after the auction. Payment can be made only by the registered bidder. Payment instructions will be given on the relevant invoice or invoices. Please note that we do not accept payment by credit or debit card.
- No lot will be released and legal title will not pass to you until we have received due payment in full of all sums owed to us by you. Risk in any lot for which you are the successful bidder will pass to you on the earlier of collection of the lot by you or on your behalf, or the due date for payment for such lot.
- If you fail to make due payment for any lot we may, at our discretion and without limitation to other available remedies, bring legal proceedings against you for the unpaid sum and all associated fees and costs including professional fees (“Unpaid Sums”); retain and sell ourselves or otherwise any other lots held by us which are your property or any sums otherwise payable by us to you and use such proceeds or sums to defray the Unpaid Sums; cancel the sale, re-offer the lot and claim any shortfall and any associated costs from you; and/or pass your identity and contact details to the seller so that they can pursue legal remedies against you directly. Additionally if you are a business customer, interest on late payments may be charged at 8% above our bank’s base rate from time to time.
- All lots must be collected from our premises as notified to you in the auction terms and condition and otherwise, within 14 days after the auction. Storage and handling fees may be charged in relation to lots left uncollected after that date and lots removed to off-site storage. Any lots not collected within 90 days after the auction may be sold by us at our discretion, with the proceeds applied to cover all Unpaid Sums including storage and handling charges. In this event any surplus will be paid over to you, and we will claim any shortfall from you as an Unpaid Sum.
- A lot which has been collected from our warehouse by you or a shipper acting on your behalf is deemed to have been delivered to you by us at the time of such collection.
- Lots which we believe to be covered by the CITES regulations will be marked in our catalogue, but we are not responsible for advising you on any import/export issues including without limitation CITES or the like, and customs and import fees and the like. We recommend that you acquaint yourself with any relevant issues before bidding, as we cannot accept liability for any information which we may provide you with. If you purchase a lot requiring an export license it is your responsibility to obtain it, and we cannot accept rescission of the sale or offer a refund if you are unable to so obtain a permit.
- Each seller warrants that they are the legal owner of the lot and/or have the unencumbered right to sell the lot at auction and to pass title to the successful bidder. The seller shall not be liable in the event of breach of this warranty for any amount greater than the hammer price of the lot in question. We may be liable only to the successful bidder in the event of fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation by us and exclude all other liability to such bidder and all third parties to the fullest extent permitted by law. Nothing herein shall limit your rights if any under the Consumer Contracts Regulations, or exclude our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence.
- General Terms:
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Terms and Condition for Buyers
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
There is an additional 3% surcharge when bidding through Drouot, which is in addition to our 25% Buyer's premium.
- These Terms and Conditions apply to all transactions relating to the purchase of items by a bidder (referred to as “you”) at auction or as an auction after-sale by Curated Auctions Limited, trading as Curated Auctions (referred to as “we”), and may not be varied unless agreed in writing in advance by our director. By registering to bid and/or bidding you accept these terms.
- We act as agent for the seller whose identity we will not disclose, unless otherwise stated.
- When we offer items for consignment at auction, we will usually include in the auction listing a description of the lot and an estimate of potential sale value. Upon request we may also supply a condition report, which will be based on a visual inspection of each lot without disassembly or further investigation of physical condition, and on information available to us at the time. All information is provided after due consideration and to the best of our knowledge and experience, but cannot be taken as a statement of fact, a guarantee or statement of value or a guarantee or statement that mechanical or electrical parts are functioning correctly or at all.
- All measurements provided are approximate. Colours of any image depicted in any printed catalogue, on our website or otherwise may not appear the same as colours perceived on physical inspection.
- Lots offered for sale will be available for viewing in person at such place and times as are advertised before the auction. We always recommend inspection in person.
- You can attend the auction in person to bid, but please contact us in advance of arrival.
- Registration for each sale must be completed in advance of the auction by anyone wishing to bid. You may will be required to provide proof of identity and proof of address unless you are already known to us and have previously done so.
- Commission bids may be refused unless they have been accepted in advance of the auction.
- We may at our discretion accept bids from someone acting on behalf of a third party, subject to receiving a letter of authorisation which is satisfactory to us. In the event that such a bid is successful we reserve the right to treat either the bidder or the third party as the successful bidder for all purposes including as regards obtaining payment for the lot.
- Auctions are conducted according to our discretion and that of our auctioneer. We may refuse to allow access to the auction, refuse or accept any bid, alter the order of lots and/or the bidding in such way as we think best, withdraw any lot, reopen bidding after the hammer has fallen, determine who is the successful bidder, cancel the sale of any lot or otherwise regulate the auction and all associated proceedings as we deem most appropriate. Our decision in relation to any dispute relating to bidding which may arise during or after the auction is final.
- We may (but are not obliged to) offer bidding in person, by commission bids left with us in advance of the auction, by telephone, or online via our own or a third party platform. We will not in any event be liable for any failure to take a bid whether caused by breakdown of communications technology or otherwise.
- Both the auction as a whole and calls used for telephone bids may be recorded and such recordings may be retained by us and by participating in the same you consent to such recording and retention.
- Most lots are offered subject to a reserve below which the lot will not be sold. The level of the reserve is confidential between ourselves and our seller but will not be higher than the lower estimate.
- We may enter one or more bids consecutively or otherwise on behalf of the seller up to but not beyond the level of the reserve.
- Subject only to the auctioneer’s discretion set out in clause 9 above, when the auctioneer’s hammer falls no further bids will be accepted and a contract for sale is formed between the successful bidder and ourselves as agent for the seller.
- We will endeavour to send out invoices promptly by mail or email using the contact details supplied to us by the successful bidder. It is the buyer’s responsibility to check if they are the successful bidder. If you believe that you are the successful bidder for any lot but have not heard from us within three working days of the auction, we recommend that you contact us to arrange collection and avoid potential storage charges.
- We will charge a buyer’s fee of 25% on the hammer price of every lot, plus VAT. There is an additional 1% surcharge when bidding live through the website.
- Payment for each lot which you have purchased including all associated fees, charges and taxes is due no later than 7 calendar days after the auction. Payment can be made only by the registered bidder. Payment instructions will be given on the relevant invoice or invoices. Please note that we do not accept payment by credit or debit card.
- No lot will be released and legal title will not pass to you until we have received due payment in full of all sums owed to us by you. Risk in any lot for which you are the successful bidder will pass to you on the earlier of collection of the lot by you or on your behalf, or the due date for payment for such lot.
- If you fail to make due payment for any lot we may, at our discretion and without limitation to other available remedies, bring legal proceedings against you for the unpaid sum and all associated fees and costs including professional fees (“Unpaid Sums”); retain and sell ourselves or otherwise any other lots held by us which are your property or any sums otherwise payable by us to you and use such proceeds or sums to defray the Unpaid Sums; cancel the sale, re-offer the lot and claim any shortfall and any associated costs from you; and/or pass your identity and contact details to the seller so that they can pursue legal remedies against you directly. Additionally if you are a business customer, interest on late payments may be charged at 8% above our bank’s base rate from time to time.
- All lots must be collected from our premises as notified to you in the auction terms and condition and otherwise, within 14 days after the auction. Storage and handling fees may be charged in relation to lots left uncollected after that date and lots removed to off-site storage. Any lots not collected within 90 days after the auction may be sold by us at our discretion, with the proceeds applied to cover all Unpaid Sums including storage and handling charges. In this event any surplus will be paid over to you, and we will claim any shortfall from you as an Unpaid Sum.
- A lot which has been collected from our warehouse by you or a shipper acting on your behalf is deemed to have been delivered to you by us at the time of such collection.
- Lots which we believe to be covered by the CITES regulations will be marked in our catalogue, but we are not responsible for advising you on any import/export issues including without limitation CITES or the like, and customs and import fees and the like. We recommend that you acquaint yourself with any relevant issues before bidding, as we cannot accept liability for any information which we may provide you with. If you purchase a lot requiring an export license it is your responsibility to obtain it, and we cannot accept rescission of the sale or offer a refund if you are unable to so obtain a permit.
- Each seller warrants that they are the legal owner of the lot and/or have the unencumbered right to sell the lot at auction and to pass title to the successful bidder. The seller shall not be liable in the event of breach of this warranty for any amount greater than the hammer price of the lot in question. We may be liable only to the successful bidder in the event of fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation by us and exclude all other liability to such bidder and all third parties to the fullest extent permitted by law. Nothing herein shall limit your rights if any under the Consumer Contracts Regulations, or exclude our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence.
- General Terms:
A Taste For Luxury: Exceptional interiors, Silver, Jewellery and handbags
Auction dates
12th July at 2pm
Auction currency
GBP
Buyer's premium
25 % (exc. Sales tax)
Online commission
1 % (exc. Sales tax)
Venue address
Curated Auctions
744 Sidcup Road, London
SE9 3NS
United Kingdom
A Taste For Luxury: Exceptional interiors, Silver, Jewellery and handbags
Auction dates
12th July at 2pm
Auction currency
GBP
Buyer's premium
25 % (exc. Sales tax)
Online commission
1 % (exc. Sales tax)
Venue address
Curated Auctions
744 Sidcup Road, London
SE9 3NS
United Kingdom
Exhibition of lots
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