Putto with dolphin, Chiurazzi foundries?, 19th-20th century
Bronze with transparent red and black patina
26 x 11 x 13 cm
This well-known subject of a winged cupid, holding a dolphin on his right shoulder takes inspiration from a bronze fountain found in the excavations of Pompeii in 1880.
This type of bronze enjoyed considerable success, like other objects excavated in Pompeii, and was often replicated. This casting presethigh quality both in terms of the cold working and the wonderful patina with reddish tones, almost mahogany.
There are no production marks but it may be a fine and early fusion of the Neapolitan Chiurazzi foundries.