A BRONZE FIGURE OF A FOWLER

This version of the Fowler or Birdcatcher, also known as the 'Type 1' model, was certainly Giambologna's prototype. One is seen listed in the 1609 inventory of the inheritance of Lorenzo Salviati, whose father Jacopo was a patron of Giambologna. It appears in the list described as '1086 Un villano di bronzo con un frugnolo di mano del deto' (a peasant made in bronze with a lantern from the hand of the aforesaid [i.e., Susini]). Although Giambologna conceived the model, as an entry in Baldinucci's inventory of his works testifies, the latter statement is of particular interest as 'del detto' confirms Antonio Susini as the author of the Salviati bronze. It often formed a pair with the Fowler 'Type 2', of which a close variant is lot 172 in the present sale.