a bronze group of two wrestling figures, probably Italian late 19th century, dark brown patina with lighter high points, the central support draped with the Nemean lion-skin, Hercules lifting Antaeus who presses his thumb against the hero’s eye, on an oval base, 19.5cm high

See Maderno’s terracotta of Hercules and Antaeus on display at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh (No.A.1981.1), dated 1620 and another signed and dated 1622 in the Galleria Franchetti alla Ca' d'Oro, Venice (Inv.No.81). A variety of bronze versions were made, probably following these models, from the 17^th century onwards, but principally without the central support and sometimes with the right arm raised. For two bronzes of a similar scale to this lot, with structural supports on oval bases and Antaeus clawing at Hercules' face, see Christie’s, Paris, 23 February 2009, lot 623 and Christie’s, London, 9 December 2004, lot 109, catalogued as 18^th and 17^th century respectively.