A pair of Italian white marble allegorical groups of 'Europe' (?) and 'Asia' (?), by Francesco Bertos, 18th century, Venice

Private Collection, New York, by 1958;
Sold, New York, Sotheby's, 23 November 1984, lots 181 and 182;
where purchased by the present owner after the sale.

C. Avery, The Triumph of Motion: Francesco Bertos and the Art of Sculpture, Turin 2008, p. 184-185.

Both weathered and with partial losses to limbs throughout (see catalog image). Some chipping. One putto lacking. Some remainders of metal repair pins. Some cracks. Good quality.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This pair of marbles are ascribed to Francesco Bertos and published in Avery's 2008 monograph on the eccentric 18th Century Venetian sculptor. Distinctively Baroque in both context and aesthetic, Bertos' works are instantly recognizable in their ambitious and acrobatic interpretations of allegory and mythology.

Presumed to depict Asia and Europe, this pair was most likely part of a series of the four continents with Africa and America. Avery notes (op. cit.) that the  location of Africa is unknown, and America is currently in a private collection in Paris. While the upper-most figures in the Asia and Europe groups have suffered losses, the heights of the two sculptures are very close to that of Africa and America.