Attributed to Michele Fabris, known as l'Ongaro (c. 1644-1684) Italian, Venice, 17th century

Overall the condition of the marble is very good. There is some minor wear consistent with age. There is some dirt to surface particularly to the nose, proper right cheek and neck. The right shoulder was carved separately and the tip of the nose has been restored. There are chips to the drapery near the proper left temple, drapery on the far left and centrally near the truncation, there ar some further minor chips to the folds of the drapery. There are some small patches of filling to the back of the marble. There are some minor chips and minor losses to the naturally occurring veins in the base.
"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."

The bust of an old man with a long beard shows the differentiation between a smoothly polished skin and drapery, and a more rough rendering of the hair and beard, with the parallel lines of the coarse tooth chisel still visible. This was a typical feature of Venetian sculpture of the second half of the 17th century. The decoration of the drapery with many holes and curves is particularly characteristic of the Hungarian-born Michele Fabris, one of the foremost sculptors in Venice of his time. The cloak pulled over the man's head is particularly similar to the one worn by the skeleton personifying death in the relief showing The cross supported by angels in glory over death on the left wall of the Vendramin chapel in San Pietro di Castello, Venice. A Bust of Diana attributed to Fabris was sold in these rooms on 8 June 1999, lot 17.

RELATED LITERATURE
F. Nacamulli, "Michael Fabris Ongaro," Arte veneta, 39, 1985, pp. 87-100; A. Bacchi and S. Zanuso, La scultura veneziana da Sansovino a Canova, Milano, 2000, pp. 731-732, figs. 357-365