Andiron with Putto Finial model c. 1600, cast probably 17th/18th century

This bronze andiron was designed by Nicolò Roccatagliata, a prolific Italian sculptor, around 1600, and cast likely in the 17th or 18th century. The andiron features a putto, or cherub, standing atop a richly ornamented base. The intricate design incorporates scrolling foliage, grotesque masks, and a central panel with a bust of a woman, likely representing a mythological figure. The andiron is a prime example of the ornate and decorative style favored by Italian Renaissance artisans. The use of putti, a recurring theme in Renaissance art, symbolizes innocence and beauty. The andiron would have been a functional object, used to support logs in a fireplace, but its artistic value would have elevated it to a decorative piece.