Lot 66: Giovanni Bernardi de Castelbolognese (1496-1553) Neptune, oval bronze plaquette, 76mm. x 66.5mm., a good old cast, light...

Giovanni Bernardi de Castelbolognese (1496-1553)
Neptune, oval bronze plaquette, 76mm. x 66.5mm., a good old cast, light brown patina

Neptune, naked, raising his trident in his right hand and holding down with his left drapery which billows out around and behind him, stands on a shell which is supported by four sea-horses. Three dolphins swim in the waves in front.

This 'handsome plaquette' (Ricci) was not identified by Molinier as by Bernardi, but the example in the Kress collection has a clear signature above the waves on the right The signature in not readable in this example. Maclagan draws attention to affinities with an engraved rock crystal in the British Museum also attributed to Belli.

References
Bange 1922, 873; Kress 36; Maclagan p. 68; Molinier 590; Ricci, ii, p. 259, no. 390 .
Rock Crystal: Dalton, British Museum Catalogue of Engraved Gems, no. 738, pl. xxvii