Italian, 19th century

Overall the condition of the marble is good with wear to the surface consistent with age. There is considerable dirt to the surface and the marble would benefit from professional cleaning. There is veining to the marble consistent with the material, including a few minor open veins, such as that to the proper left shoulder. There are a few small naturally occurring inclusions, in particular, one to the forehead. There are a few chips, including to the outside of the rhyton and to the hair at the back. There are also some further chips in the headdress. There are also chips and abrasons to thei rockwork terrasse and to the edges of the base. There is a dark stain to below the proper right elbow.
"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."

Another version of this serenely beautiful marble was sold at Christie's New York, 20-21 April 2005, lot 362, for $36,000. It is possible that the present very fine marble was carved by Frilli or another Florentine sculptor close to him. Antonio Frilli was a highly skilled marble sculptor working in Florence in the late 19th and into the early 20th century. He was the founder of the Galleria Frilli, which still exists in Florence today. Frilli specialised in decorative busts and figures and replicas after neo-classical sculpture. His extraordinary technical accomplishment is seen in the almost miraculously balanced Nude Reclining in a Hammock, his own conception, known in a number of versions, one of which sold at Sotheby's New York, 3rd November 1999, for $635,000.