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Not currently on display at the V&A

Knocker

ca. 1560 (made)
Artist/Maker
Danese Cattaneo (sculptor)
Place of origin
Italy (made)

This is a bronze door knocker made in Italy in about 1560. It is attributed by Weihrauch to Danese Cattaneo, and it does seem likely that it was made in Venice. In the lower part of this knocker, there are two nymphs or Sirens embracing, terminating in scroll foliage and their lower extremities are forming the heat-shaped framework of the composition.



Object details

Categories
Bronze
Sculpture
Object type
Knocker
Materials and techniques
Bronze
Bronze
Brief description
Knocker, bronze, representing two nymphs embracing with Cupids, attributed to Danese Cattaneo, Italy (probably Venice), ca. 1560
Physical description
In the lower part are two nymphs or Sirens embracing, terminating in scroll foliage, their lower extremities forming the heat-shaped framework of the composition; on their shoulders stands an amorino, filling in the centre of the composition, and on each side are amorini clinging to the framework of the design.
Dimensions
  • Height: 37cm
  • Width: 32.5cm
  • Weight: 10.78kg
Object history
Bought from the Soulages Collection for £80 in 1865.
Subjects depicted
Nymph
Foliage
Cupid
Summary
This is a bronze door knocker made in Italy in about 1560. It is attributed by Weihrauch to Danese Cattaneo, and it does seem likely that it was made in Venice. In the lower part of this knocker, there are two nymphs or Sirens embracing, terminating in scroll foliage and their lower extremities are forming the heat-shaped framework of the composition.

Bibliographic references
  • Robinson, John Charles. Catalogue of the Soulages Collection. London: Chapman & Hall, 1856, p. 114
  • Krahn, Volker, ed. Von allen Seiten schön : Bronze der Renaissance und des Barock. Berlin, 1995, pp. 305-307
  • Inventory of Art Objects acquired in the Year 1865. Inventory of the Objects in the Art Division of the Museum at South Kensington, arranged According to the Dates of their Acquisition. Vol. 1. London : Printed by George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode for H.M.S.O., 1868, p. 35
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
573-1865

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Record createdApril 22, 2008
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O153081/knocker-danese-cattaneo/
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