Blown Glass Torchères

A Large and Impressive Italian 19th Century Patinated Bronze Figural Torchere, after a model by Niccolò Roccatagliata (Genoa 1593 - Venice 1636). The triangular foot base with projecting putti supporting the stem and oval reserves within cartouche motifs, one containing the initials "S.D" with an olive tree in-between and a bull-head below. The stem knot with figures of winged caryatids and festoons and upper part with cherub heads, acanthus leaves and egg and bead patterns and topped with a later white glass globe. The decorative system refers to the documented artistic production of the Venetian workshop of Niccolò Roccatagliata and takes inspirational model from the base of the Renaissance bronze of the Scuola Grande di San Teodoro in Venice, a work signed by Andrea del Bartolomeo di Alessandri known as Brescianino. Electrified. Circa: Venice, 1850-1880. RELATED LITERATURE L. Planiscig, Venezianische Bildhauer der Renaissance, Vienna, 1921, figs. 661-664; C. Avery, 'Andrea del Bartolomeo di Alessandri detto il Bresciano" lavator di gettar di Bronzo": candelabri, satiri e battenti', M. Ceriana and V. Avery (eds.), L'Industria artistica del Bronzo del Rinascimento a venezia e nell'Italia settentrionale, Venice, 2008, pp. 233-252. Similar models of this torchere were part of the interior decor collection at the Vanderbilt Mansion in New York (see black and white photo). The Cornelius Vanderbilt II House was a large mansion built in 1883 at 1 West 57th Street in Manhattan, New York City. It occupied the frontage along the west side of Fifth Avenue from West 57th Street up to West 58th Street at Grand Army...

Blown Glass. Silver Mirror or Smoke Mirror. Molten glass is an incredibly malleable material. It is viscous enough to be blown and gradually hardens as it loses heat. As the glass c...