A POLYCHROME TERRACOTTA FIGURE OF A SAINT CATHERINE OF SIENA

ITALIAN, EARLY 17TH CENTURY

Details

A POLYCHROME TERRACOTTA FIGURE OF A SAINT CATHERINE OF SIENA
ITALIAN, EARLY 17TH CENTURY
Standing on a circular base, missing her stalk of lilies, painted surface later
29½ in. (75 cm.) high

Literature

Salander-O'Reilly Galleries, Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque Sculpture, New York, 2005, no. 22, catalogued as 'Lorenzo di Mariano'.

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Lot Essay

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.

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