Bronzes 20x11x5 cm A rare pair of coat-of-arm holders that could be seen side by side over some ancient marble portal. This type of decoration, possibly andiron ornaments, was common in the production of Venetian-Paduan foundries between the 16th and 17th centuries. Notable examples are attributed to Tiziano Aspetti or Gerolamo Campagna. Complementary couples, such as Mars and Minerva or Jupiter and Juno, often decorated fireplaces in the apex of complex bronze pyramids filled with dragons and cherubs. The other possibility, given the small size of these bronzes, is to consider them decorations to be placed in the niches of a piece of furniture or a cabinet. Supporting this theory is the shallow depth of the backside, typical of plastic artifacts intended for primarily frontal viewing. Reference bibliography: Charles Avery, La Spezia-Museo Civico Amedeo Lia-Sculture- bronzetti, placchette, medaglie, Silvana editore, Cinisello Balsamo, 1988, pp.118-123. Mark Gregory d'Apuzzo, La Collezione dei Bronzi del Museo Civico Medievale di Bologna, Libro Co, Casciano Val di Pesa, pp.216-220. Missing chalice in left hand? This bronze piece should be considered together with the next lot (the St. John the Evangelist, lot 7) as part of a set, possibly a Crucifixion scene. Both artifacts exhibit a type of craftsmanship akin to goldsmithing, as they are finely chased, especially in the drapery and hair parts. Intricate punching covers the entire garments, revealing a scattered delicate flower decoration. The silver plating, now in a black-blue patina, would reveal two extremely precious and eye-catching objects if polished. A light cleaning could be attempted. For comparison, please refer to the crucifixion piece at the Lia Museum in La Spezia, attributed to Antonio Susini, which exhibits some vague resemblances in the faces and poses to these two statues. Reference bibliography: Charles Avery, La Spezia-Museo Civico Amedeo Lia-Sculture Bronzetti Medaglie, Silvana editore, Cinisello Balsamo, 1998, pp. 127-130. The god Kronos id depicted in a standing position, holding a scythe with his right hand, a symbol of the transience of life and passing of time, a meaning reinforced by the hourglass held in his left hand. Curious and rarely found in similar figurations is the iconography of a bird about to take flight from a shrub placed beside the winged old man. Probably a further symbol of the volatility of human time. Beautiful casting rich in detail and well chiseled, rare and intriguing subject.