NORTH ITALIAN, PROBABLY PADUAN, FIRST HALF 16TH CENTURY

Details

A BRONZE DOUBLE OIL LAMP
NORTH ITALIAN, PROBABLY PADUAN, FIRST HALF 16TH CENTURY
In the form of two addorsed grotesque masks, each with an open mouth and space for a wick beneath the chin; with further acanthus decoration; formerly with a central handle, now lacking; on an integrally cast almond-shaped foot; blackish brown patina with medium brown high points
3 in. (7.6 cm.) high; 7¾ in. (19.7 cm.) long

Provenance

Purchased by Alfred Beit (1853-1906) by 1904.
Thence by descent to Lady (Clementine) Beit (1915-2005) by whom donated to the Alfred Beit Foundation in 2005.

Literature

W. Bode, The Art Collection of Mr. Alfred Beit at His Residence 26 Park Lane London, Berlin, 1904, as 'School of Riccio'.
W. Bode, Catalogue of the Collection of Pictures and Bronzes in the Possession of Mr. Otto Beit, London, 1913, p. 111, no. 236, as 'Workshop or School of Riccio'.
COMPARATIVE LITERATURE:
L. Planiscig, Andrea Riccio, Vienna, 1927, pp. 175, 176, fig. 186.

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

This double oil lamp is known in at least one other variant version, formerly in the Figdor Collection in Vienna. That lamp, published by Planiscig as by Riccio (loc. cit.), is identical to the present lot apart from the manner in which the central handle was attached. The attribution to Riccio was on the basis of similarities between the masks evident here and a series of oil lamps with negro faces which were also considered to be by Riccio, but which have since been re-attributed to an unknown Paduan artist.

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