Italian, Rome or Florence, 19th century

Overall the condition of the marble is good with minor dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. There is particular dirt to the hair and arms. There are minor abrasions or dryness to the nose. There is veining to the marble consistent with the material including a vein to the forehead. There are small naturally occurring inclusions to the marble, including to the neck, chin and proper left leg. There are chips around the well which appear to be intentional and are part of the design of the sculpture. There are minor chips and abrasions to the terrasse. The base is made in sections and there are scratches and abrasions and small chips.
"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."

In this serene marble the Neoclassical and Romantic movements are merged to create an evocative and powerful group. The elegant contraposto is ultimately indebted to antique prototypes, in particular the Apollo Sauroktonos (musée du Louvre, Paris, inv. no. MA 441), who leans against a tree, placing his body into a similar S-shaped curve. However, the Old Testament subject and the Orientalising turban-headdress lend to the marble a Romantic air. Rebecca was the wife of Isaac and the mother of Jacob and Esau. She is first mentioned in Genesis 24:15 when Abraham had sent his servant to Nahor to find a wife for his son Isaac. The servant arrived at a well and prayed to God that the first girl to provide water for both him and his camels would be God's choice of bride. Rebecca appeared and drew water from the well for the servant and then watered the camels, a sign that God had chosen Rebecca. She and Isaac had two twin sons. The younger, Jacob, was later given the name Israel and would go on to make a covenant with God and father twelve sons whose issue would become the Tribes of Israel. His elder brother Esau led the Edomites and was later supplanted by Jacob. The present marble is beautifully carved. Note the superbly delineated bricks which form the well, together with the wonderful deep folds of drapery and the elegant idealised facial features. The inscription: H. de Wulf. probably refers to an owner of the marble, which was almost certainly carved by a talented Italian sculptor circa 1860-1880.

A version of this marble, attributed to Stefano Menconi and dated 1875, is illustrated in A. Panzetta, Nuovo Dizionario degli Scultori Italiani dell'Ottocento e del Primo Novecento, Turin, 2003, vol. 2, no 1186, p. 624