Antique 16th Century Renaissance Gilt Bronze Corpus Christi Cristo Morto AFTER A MODEL BY GUGLIELMO DELLA PORTA

Antique, late 16th century, Renaissance period, superb quality fire-gilt bronze Corpus Christi "Cristo Morto." AFTER A MODEL BY GUGLIELMO DELLA PORTA

Finely cast with a hollow back and pierced with nail holes, then hand finished with artist's tools and gilded. The sculpture is probably cast from a wax model.
Christ's head with long curly hair lies down towards the right on the torso, arms are slightly raised, and hands have curled fingers.
He is wearing flowing perizonium and has an imposing and muscular torso, bent legs, with superimposed feet.
All details, such as the muscular torso, arms, hands, fingers, legs, toes, head, long curly hair, unruly tufts of beard, and perizonium, have been skillfully hand chased.
Gilding was applied with sheets of gold leaf after "quickened" or "amalgamating" the bronze surface with mercury.
DIMENSIONS:
From feet to hands: 19 cm (7.48 inches).
From hand to hand: 16 cm (6.3 inches).

CONDITION: In good condition, with no cracks, bends, or repairs. The gilding wore off as a result of centuries of dusting off the statue and the faithful touching and kissing the statue during prayer as is customary among devoted catholic believers.
Rubbed areas show a dark reddish-brown patina.

We will provide the buyer with a certificate of authenticity.

For related Corpus Christi, please see the link below:

https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2019/old-master-sculpture-works-of-art/after-a-model-by-guglielmo-della-porta-circa-1500

https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/19587/lot/91/