Canova

"Unfortunately, five people were found lifeless," emergency services spokeswoman Michela Canova told the AFP news agency, adding that the injured figure "remains a provisional count."

"An avalanche of snow, ice and rock which in its path hit the access road when there were several roped parties, some of which were swept away," Ms Canova explained.

"This is one of the last works that Canova actually executed...it's just recently come to light after having been in collections in the 20th century, unrecognised as a significant marble by Canova," Donald Johnston, Christie’s International Head of Sculpture, told Reuters at a media preview on Thursday.

Depicting Mary Magdalene in a state of religious ecstasy, the sculpture was completed just before Canova's death in 1822.

"The way the feet are done, the way the hands are done, the way that the fingers have this sort of gentle curve...it's very typical of Canova. Generally the quality of the piece...it sings out. So you were always going to be looking for a master as the author of this marble."