After a model by Tiziano Aspetti (1559-1606) Italian, Venice, circa 1600

Overall the condition of the bronze is good with wear and dirt to the surface consistent with age with particular dirt to the crevices on the base. There are several lacquer patinas which have some rubbing and scratching including around the shoulders and abdomen. The bronze has several lacunae due to casting flaws consistent with Venetian casting practice including large ones underneath the cape and the proper right arm and one to the proper left side of the helmet. There is a threaded hole to the base for mounting. There are remnants of glue around the lower edge of 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."

Aspetti's Mars is widely known from the cast in the Frick Collection, New York and model is believed to have been conceived as a pair to his Venus, after which the succeeding lot is cast. The socle seen in the Frick cast is absent here. A pair of Aspetti's Mars and Venus statuettes, also without socles, was sold at Christie's, New York, on 14 January 1992, lot 132. Both the present and succeeding lots would have been mounted as firedogs, as indicated by the holes to the undersides.

RELATED LITERATURE
L. Planiscig, Venezianische Bildhauer der Renaissance, Vienna, 1921, pp. 566-572; J. Pope-Hennessy, The Frick Collection. An Illustrated Catalogue, New York, 1970, vol. iii, pp. 183-184, C. Kryza-Gersch, ‘Original Ideas and Their Reproduction in Venetian Foundries: Tiziano Aspetti’s Mars in the Frick Collection - A Case Study,’ D. Pincus, Small Bronzes in the Renaissance, New Haven and Yale, 2001, pp. 143-157; V. Krahn, Bronzetti Veneziani. Die venezianischen Kleinbronzen der Renaissance aus dem Bode-Museum Berlin, cat. Bode Museum, Berlin, 2003, nos. 38-39, pp.152-157