ITALIAN, EARLY 17TH CENTURY

The figure's agitated drapery, expressive face and off-balanced, contrapposto pose reflect sculptures produced in Siena following a tradition established by Jacopo della Quercia that endured for generations. The specific composition relates to a polychromed wood statue of Saint Catherine of Siena that Neroccio di Bartolomeo Landi made for the Oratorio della Contrada dell'Oca, Siena in 1474, which established a model for representing this holy figure (loc. cit.).

The present lot is accompanied by a thermoluminescence test from Oxford Authentication stating the terracotta was fired between 250 and 400 years ago.