Oil lamp based on the form of an African’s head 1550 - 1599

This bronze oil lamp, created between 1550 and 1599, is a striking example of the work of Andrea Briosco, known as Riccio. The lamp is shaped like a bust of a black man with a large, open mouth. The bust rests on a complex, three-legged base featuring intertwined serpentine forms that end in clawed feet. Though the lamp is a functional object, its powerful imagery, perhaps reflecting the growing presence of African slaves in Venice at the time, makes it a powerful artistic statement. The use of bronze and the intricate detailing are characteristic of Riccio’s style, which contributed to the evolution of Renaissance sculpture. This lamp is a fascinating blend of the practical and the symbolic, providing insight into the artistic and social context of 16th-century Venice.