ITALIAN, PROBABLY FLORENCE, 15TH CENTURY | Putto with a Salamander seated on a Tortoise

Overall the condition of the bronze is good, with minor dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age, including dust in the crevices. There is rubbing to the lacquer patina, in particular at the high points, as well as some flaking. There is minor greening to the underside, as well as some gesso residue. There is a screw to the underside to connect the sculpture to a base, which is lost. There is also another screw hole to the underside.
"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."

This fascinating bronze may originate from the circle of Donatello, with whom several bronze putti engaging with reptiles and surmounting tortoises are associated, including an example formerly with Daniel Katz (Padua, op. cit., cat. no. 1) and another, equally a solid cast, from the Abbott Guggenheim collection (Schwartz, op. cit., cat. no. 1). Note here the similarly hollowed pupils, which may once have been silvered, as in a 15th-century North Italian putto in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge (inv. no. M.1-1967). 

RELATED LITERATURE
Donatello e il suo tempo: Il bronzetto a Padova nel Quattrocento e nel Cinquecento, exh. cat. Musei Civici, Padua, 2001, pp. 48-49, no. 1; M. Schwartz (ed.), European Sculpture from the Abbott Guggenheim Collection, New York, 2008, pp. 22-23, no. 1