Gilt Bronze Plate. Divinity Driving A Chariot. Italy 16° Century.

Wall plate in cast bronze, hot gilded with mercury, representing an antique chariot drawn by 2 horses guided by a female Greek deity. The chariot flies in the clouds and in front of the horses a child pours water from his watering can. The quality is exceptional, designs of sublime elegance, perfect casting, excellent fcarving and initions and very thick mercury gilding. We see on the back of the plaque the remains of two prominent iron fixings. Was part of an absolutely exceptional piece of furniture or object that must still exist. The horses' manes are typically Italian 16° style. Although this way of treating manes continued at the beginning of the 17th century in northern Europe, the elegance and softness of this sculpture make us think of it as Italian 16°century.
Exceptional object. Good condition. 225x80mm