Attributed to Anton Maria Maragliano (1664-1739) Genoa, circa 1730

painted white, the bearded god partially draped and standing on a dolphin holding a trident (later) in his left hand whilst with his right he holds the fish's tail, on oval wood base

Overall condition good with original white surface refreshed. The bottom section of the dolphin's tail has been reattached and the fingers of the left hand have been restored but appear original. The trident is probably a replacement. Some worming is evident on the back but is minimal. The separately carved section below the dolphin's mouth has retrenched as is evident in the catalogue photograph.
"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."

Anton Maria Maragliano was a Genoese sculptor with an especial expertise in wood carving. He is best known for creating polychromed and gilt processional figures, for the many Casacce, or Confraternities, of Genoa; the medium of wood was particularly appropriate for these large scale figures which needed to be light enough to carried in procession. His ambitious and accomplished ensembles such as the Vision of St John the Evangelist are preserved in the Churches of Genoa. 

Maragliano's secular works are more rare. The present figure can be closely compared to a white-painted wood figure of Time, height 138cm, in the Museo Sant'Agostino, Genoa. The allegorical figure was part of a series with two female figures of Gloria and Verità (Sanguineti, no.99). Note the anatomical treatment, particularly around the motif of the exposed hip on both figures, note also the treatment of the waves of hair and the mouth and beard. Another comparable painted white male allegorical figure attributed to Maragliano, dating to 1730-1735 is in Yale University Art Gallery (Sanguineti, no. 110). The face of the present figure with the distinctive lower lip and beard is also close to one of the polychrome figures from Maragliano's Deposition in the church of San Matteo, Genoa (illustrated by Sanguineti, p. 63).

RELATED LITERATURE
A. N. Cellini, La scultura del settecento, Turin, 1982, pp. 151-157;  P.Fusco, P.Fogelman & M.Cambareri, Italian and Spanish Sculpture, Catalogue of the J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, 2002, no.29., pp. 232-237; D. Sanguineti, Anton Maria Maragliano, Genoa, 1998, pp. 63, 85, 190 & 193, figs. 56 & 76, nos. 98, 99 & 110