THE CENTRAL FIGURE CAST AFTER A MODEL BY THE MASTER OF THE DUPLICATED DOLPHINS, SECOND HALF 19TH CENTURY

Details

A GILT-BRONZE INKSTAND
THE CENTRAL FIGURE CAST AFTER A MODEL BY THE MASTER OF THE DUPLICATED DOLPHINS, SECOND HALF 19TH CENTURY
In the form of a triton sitting astride a dolphin and holding a seashell with hinged lid; on a naturalistic base adorned with two further seashells and with a pierced rocaille border; cast in several pieces
6½ in. (16.5 cm.) high

Provenance

Probably purchased by Otto Beit (1865-1930).
Thence by descent to Lady (Clementine) Beit (1915-2005) by whom donated to the Alfred Beit Foundation in 2005.

Literature

COMPARATIVE LITERATURE:
A. Radcliffe, M. Baker and M. Maek-Gérard, The Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection - Renaissance and later Sculpture with Works of Art in Bronze, London, 1992, pp. 248-251, nos. 45, 46.

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

The central group of a triton holding the seashell is known in a number of examples including two in the Thyssen-Bornemisza, attributed to Francesco Fanelli (Radcliffe, loc. cit.). However, it appears that it is, rather, part of a large group of bronze inkwells which usually incorporate a dolphin for which no firm attribution has been proposed. Here, the triton has been mounted on a base of rococo design.

For further information regarding the Master of the Duplicated Dolphins, see the note to the previous lot.

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