Door Knocker

16th century

Italian 16th Century

Associated Names
Italian 16th Century

Artist

The sculpture is of a decorative face believed to be a part of a door knocker. The face is detailed with a stern expression, deep-set eyes, and flowing hair surrounded by leaf-like embellishments. The sculpture is dark bronze with some areas showing lighter marks. The door knocker ring is held in the mouth of the face, featuring a textured surface resembling twisted rope or vines. The piece showcases rich detail and craftsmanship, appearing historical or antique, possibly used as a functional and decorative object in architecture.

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze//Medium brown patina

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall: 18.5 x 12.4 x 2.7 cm (7 5/16 x 4 7/8 x 1 1/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.121

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: 138, no. 118, pl. 70.

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, repro. 46, as Door knocker in the shape of a horned and bearded mask.

1965

  • Pope-Hennessy, John W. Renaissance Bronzes from the Samuel H. Kress Collection: Reliefs, Plaquettes, Statuettes, Utensils and Mortars. London, 1965: no. 500.

1994

  • Sculpture: An Illustrated Catalogue. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1994: 114, repro.

1998

  • Vannel, Fiorenza, and Giuseppe Toderi. Medaglie e placchette del Museo Bardini di Firenze. Florence, 1998: 161.

Wikidata ID

Q63809723

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