Mortar with Sun, Moon, and Dolphin-shaped Handles

early 16th century

Italian 16th Century

Associated Names
Italian 16th Century

Artist

The image shows a small sculpture resembling a vessel with an intricate design. The sculpture features stylized figures in a procession, combined with decorative elements that resemble leafy or crescent shapes on the cup's outer surface. Protruding shapes resembling animal-like faces are on either side, which could be handles or purely decorative elements. The sculpture is made of dark bronze or metallic material, giving it a rich brown color with hints of a patina sheen. The vessel is small with a flared rim curving slightly outwards from the body.

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze//Medium brown patina

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall: 3.9 x 6.5 cm (1 9/16 x 2 9/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.105

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Gustave Dreyfus [1837-1914], Paris; his estate; purchased 1930 by (Duveen Brothers, Inc., London and New York); purchased 1945 by the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, New York; gift 1957 to NGA.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1931

  • Ricci, Seymour de. The Gustave Dreyfus Collection: Renaissance Bronzes. Oxford, 1931: 114, no. 102, pl. 58.

1951

  • Renaissance Bronzes: Statuettes, Reliefs and Plaquettes, Medals and Coins from the Kress Collection. Introduction by Perry B. Cott. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1951: 140, as Mortar with two handles in the shape of dolphins' snouts.

1965

  • Pope-Hennessy, John W. Renaissance Bronzes from the Samuel H. Kress Collection: Reliefs, Plaquettes, Statuettes, Utensils and Mortars. London, 1965: no. 588.

1994

  • Sculpture: An Illustrated Catalogue. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1994: 116, repro.

Wikidata ID

Q63809701

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