ANDREA BRUSTOLON (Belluno, 1662-1732) Lot n° 63

PUTTI AND SEA DRAGON PRESENTOIR Venice, late 17th - early 18th century Boxwood H. 50 cm, L. 31 cm This pyramid-shaped composition shows a rock on which a sea dragon, with a dog's head and fins, is lying on its back carrying four putti climbing a plant column, full of flowers. The last putto, at the very top, is wearing a crown of flowers and a pair of butterfly wings. It has a scallop-shaped bowl. Our display case belongs to a larger group of which two other elements, carved by Andrea Brustolon, are kept in the Civic Museum of Venice. They show a similar pyramidal composition involving a farandole of putti balancing on an aquatic animal. Some variations appear from one sculpture to another in the decoration of the rocky mound and in the attributes of the little loves. The ones riding the crocodile have goat's legs (fig. 1), while the ones carried by the walrus are identical to ours, resembling small children (fig. 2). In all three displays, the putto supporting the shell at the top has a pair of butterfly wings. The great late Roman Baroque art is represented in this beautiful carved and gilded wood console. The center of the belt is flanked by a mask of a young woman, surrounded by large volutes of acanthus, clasps and flowers. The presence of a mask in the center of the belt is a motif repeated in the art of early 18th century Roman carpenters, associated with massive and abundant forms. The powerful jambs take on the appearance of putti carved in the round, holding a shell above their heads. They seem to emerge midway up a cornucopia richly carved with acanthus, fruit and trimmings to support the marble. The two legs are linked by a brace centered on a large shell, surrounded by volutes. In the previous century and under the influence of Bernini, the artists of Rome developed this decorative repertoire by introducing human figures into the heart of their composition. Thus, atlantes, nubians or putti, as on our console, will become the main subjects of this type of furniture