Italian, Venice, circa 1600

Overall the condition of the bronze is good with some dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. There is minor wear to the lacquer patina, including a few scratches to the scroll at the top. There are several lacunae, including to the shell at the bottom and to the edges, consistent with Venetian casting practice. There is minor greening to the bronze at the the bottom. There are two iron mounts to the back which served the knocking mechanism. There is some old paper residue to one of the mounts at the back.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This popular Venetian design for a doorknocker with a figure flanked by two descending lions exists in numerous variations. The present doorknocker relates closely to one formerly in the J. Pierpont Morgan collection and another in the Kunstgewerbemuseum, Berlin, published in Planiscig (op. cit., figs. 632 and 633) and there ascribed to Tiziano Aspetti. Similar doorknockers of around 1600 have been associated with the workshops of Girolamo Campagna and Niccolò Roccatagliata.

RELATED LITERATURE
L. Planiscig, Venezianische Bildhauer der Renaissance, Vienna, 1921