Attributed to Francesco Antonio Franzoni (1734-1818) Italian, Rome, second half 18th century

This marble is in very good condition. The breaks are intentional so as to appear like a restored antiquity. There is slight weathering to the surface and some dirt on base. There is minor chipping to the edges of the base and a few unintrusive inclusions in the marble.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Francesco Antonio Franzoni was one of the principal restorers of antique sculture in Rome in the second half of the 18th century.  He was a favourite of Pope Pius VI, for whom he modelled a series of marble animal sculptures (some partially composed of antique fragments) for a room in the Palazzetto del Belvedere.  The Panther attacking a Goat was indeed created in this spirit and incorporates separate sections of marble intended to look ancient.

Franzoni was trained in Carrara, but moved to Rome in the mid 1760s where he specialised in the restoration of antiquities to meet the demand of Europeans on the Grand Tour. He was recognized for his talents and rewarded with important building programs including the funerary monument of Princess Maria Flaminia Odescalchi-Chigi, the Museo Pio-Clementino and the Braschi family palazzo on the piazza San Pantaleo. The J. Paul Getty Museum has two of Franzoni's works in the collection, the marble Table with Rams and a terracotta Sketch for an Overmantel.  

RELATED LITERATURE
P. Liverani, "The Museo Pio-Clementino at the time of the Grand Tour" Journal of the History of Collections. 2000, 12, pp. 151-9; P. Fogelman and P. Fusco, with Marietta Cambareri Italian and Spanish Sculpture: Catalogue of the J. Paul Getty Museum Collection (J. Paul Getty Museum, 2002)