Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Standish with Dolphin and Putto or Cupid
Marked: A L
France, c.1810
H: 5½” W: 5¾” D: 3¾”
(Retaining original porcelain inkwell and brass sander. Putto formerly holding arrow)
The composition may reference an 1470s era sculpture by Verrocchio commissioned for the tomb of Cosimo de Medici in Florence in which the dolphin is held by the Cupid. In the present composition, the Cupid is held in the tail of the dolphin.