Antonio Natali

Overall the condition is very good. The ends of the two middle fingers on the right hand are repaired with a non-marble substance. The original left thumb and one finger on the right hand are reattached. Some of the star rays below the star appear to be broken (although this is not visually obvious) and two ends of the streams of cloud, just above the left knee, also appear to be broken (but again this is not visually obvious or distracting)
"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."

Antonio Natali, active in Florence in the second half of the 19th century, was mostly known for his genre sculpture in marble and funerary monuments. The present sculpture shows Natali's interest in dynamic and finely carved sculptures with an allegorical interpretation. Interesting to note is the use of the same model by Natali's contemporary Ulisse Passani (op. cit. no. 1397), whose work is preserved in several public collections in Parma. 

RELATED LITERATURE
A. Panzetta, Nuovo Dizionario degli Scultori Italiani dell'Ottocento e del Primo Novecento, Turin, 2003, vol. 2, pp. 649, 656, 684, 728