Meister Der Gansemannchens

Sphere of

This pair of bronze statuettes depicts two wayfarers carrying on their shoulders baskets for goods transport. One of them holds inscription “a Rom[a]” and the other "a Brest".

For parallels see objects in the Wallace collection, London, catalogued as late 17th-early 18th century French (with inscriptions “a Roma” and “a Venice”) and two sculptures in Palazzo Venezia, in Rome, attributed by Santangelo to the creator of Nuremberg fountain of 1550, the Meister der Gansemannchens. However, Pietro Cannata in his catalogue dates them as 19th century creations. These are similar but not identical castings. The pair of statuettes presented here is more refined and detailed, especially in the parts of the faces and hands.

Another identical pair (with the same inscriptions as ours) passed on the London market as Italian-Flemish sculptures (Sotheby's, 9 June 1987, no. 112).

Castings of controversial attribution, but of great quality and interest, for which 17th-century dating and Nuremberg area of production are proposed.