Shoe-shaped oil lamp, Paduan workshop, 16th-17th century
Bronze with patina
7 x 13 x 4 cm
This type of artifact testifies to the interest in archaeology that was so popular from the Renaissance onwards. This small lamp in the shape of a shod foot is part of that taste and was often repeated.
For a similar model, compare it to that of the Medieval Museum of Bologna. Other examples in Berlin (Kaiser Friedrich-Museum), Paris (Louvre), Vienna (Kunsthistorisches), Venice (Correr) and Vicenza (Civic Museum).
Literature: Mark Gregory d'Apuzzo, The Bronze Collection of the Medieval Civic Museum of Bologna, Libro Co. Italia, San Casciano Val di Pesa (Fi), pages. 92-98.