The Ecstasy Of Saint Cecilia - Bronze Plaque, Italy, 17th Century - Large Plaquette

A beautiful bronze plaque with a brown patina depicting the Ecstasy of Saint Cecilia, after Raphael.
Italy, probably Rome, 16th or early 17th century.

Dimensions: 24 x 16.8 cm.

A very fine period cast, with some minor lacks of bronze on the backs of the figures at both ends.

Cecilia, a Roman martyr of the 3rd century, is the patron saint of music and musicians. The saint, holding a portative organ, is surrounded by Saints Paul, John, Augustine, and Mary Magdalene. At her feet are various musical instruments. The composition faithfully reproduces that of the painting by Raphael from 1514 (now in the Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fichier:Saint_Cecilia_by_Raphael.jpg).

Other examples of this important plaque are known and referenced in various museums (Berlin, Ravenna) or private collections (ex-Kelly, ex-Antonovich).

Bibliography:
– K. Peichstein, Bronzen und Plaketten, Kataloge des Kunstgewerbemuseum Berlin, Band III, Berlin, 1968, no. 282.
– L. Martini, Piccoli bronzi e placchette del Museo nazionale di Ravenna, Ravenna, 1985-1986, cat. 74.
– Sale London, Olympia Auctions, November 25, 2021, The Bernard Kelly Collection, lot 326.
– Sale Paris, Hôtel Drouot, Me Doutrebente, March 30, 2022, Collection F. A., lot 225.