(Attribuito a) Andrea di Bartolomeo detto il Bresciano

Attributed to Andrea di Bartolomeo, known as il Bresciano, on the basis of the refined modelling and the elegance of the decorative scheme. Of particular significance is the central grotesque mask, whose plastic treatment and dramatic expression find a direct comparison with the masks on the firedogs from the celebrated Bute Collection, suggesting a shared stylistic and formal matrix.

The piece stands out for its balanced composition, meticulous detailing and the sophisticated handling of surfaces, all hallmarks of Venetian bronze production of the sixteenth century.