Bronze Torso of an Athlete

Figure of Christ lying on a rectangular panel, dressed in a loincloth and with the hammer, nail and pliers of the crucifixion left at his side with the crown of thorns; stacked cushions beneath his head, winding sheet draped over his lower body. 25.35 kg, 48.5 x 25.5 cm



Private collection, England. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12307-215653.

The ecclesiastical statuary of the late Baroque and early Rococo periods focused heavily on the theme of the passion of Christ, with statues representing the sleeping Jesus, with the symbols of the passion next to him. The position of our sculpture is particularly reminiscent of the marvellous statue of the 'Veiled Christ' by Giuseppe Sammartino, a masterpiece of 18th century religious sculpture. The anatomy of the limbs is realistic, and the instruments of passion, placed at the feet of Christ, create a narrative, also visible in the folds of the veil that covers half of the body.

Figural tongue-shaped panel standing nimbate figure in loose robe holding a disc (slice of bread) to his chest and pointing above his head, in a stony landscape; with looped and draped scroll inscribed 'Ego sum panis vivus qui de caelo descendi .Io.VI' (I am the living bread which descended from heaven. John 6:51); in framed with a lead came and with a suspension loop above. 193 grams, 17.7 cm



De Baecque Vente aux enchere, 8 June 2023, no.511 (part). Ex central London gallery.

With slim, circular body resting on a rectangular foot; two ring handles with lion-head appliqués; domed lid with three suspension loops. 2.7 kg, 32.5 cm



Ex London, UK, art market, 1990s.