After a model attributed to Pietro Tacca (1577-1640) Italian, 18th century

Overall the condition of the bronze is good, with minor dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. There is a green-black lacquer patina to the bronze, which may possibly have been applied at a later date. There is wear to the lacquer patina including some dryness and flaking, notably to the orb. There are areas of minor oxidation underneath the patina where it has flaked. There is some rubbing to the patina at the high points. There are a few nicks and scratches including to the chest on the proper right side, to the proper right thigh, and to the top of the orb. There are a few dirt marks and there is dust in the crevices throughout.
"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."

This impressive and finely cast bronze is a rare example of a model attributed to Pietro Tacca, and cast by his son Ferdinando. The model is thought to be based on one of the modelli for the silver statuettes created by Giambologna for the Tribuna degli Uffizi. According to Anthony Radcliffe, the model was probably conceived as part of the 1612 commission for a set of bronzes for Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales. However, the commission was aborted, and it is thought that the large scale bronze versions cast were made by Pietro’s son, Ferdinando Tacca (Radcliffe, op. cit., pp. 254-259). Casts attributed to Ferdinando Tacca include one from the French Royal Collection (inv. no. 303), now in the collections of the Prince of Liechtenstein (inv. no. SK946), and one in the Smith collection at the National Gallery of Art, Washington (Radcliffe, op. cit., no. 45). 

RELATED LITERATURE
C. Avery, Giambologna, exh. cat. Salander-O'Reilly Galleries, New York, 1998, pp. 58-60, no. 19; A. Radcliffe and N. Penny, Art of the Renaissance Bronze, cat. The Robert H. Smith Collection, London, 2004, no. 45, pp. 254-259; A. Kugel, Les Bronzes du Prince de Liechtenstein. Chefs-d’oeuvre de la Renaissance et du Baroque, Paris, 2008, no. 20, p. 100;  B. Paolozzi Strozzi and D. Zikos (eds.), Giambologna gli dei, gli eroi, exh. cat. Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence, pp. 187, no. 16