C. 1480 - France Or Northern Italy - Bronze Brooch With A Putto

Bronze brooch (traces of gilding) with a putto’s face rendered in high relief.
An Italian or French work from the late 15th to early 16th century, in full Renaissance style.
The brooch is structured around a double octagon: in the central one stands the wonderfully embossed face of the putto, which, despite its miniature size, features well-defined features and skillfully executed lines.
The expression, halfway between wise and mischievous, perfectly embodies the spirit of these creatures, especially as idealized during the Renaissance: putti conceived as celestial children who, with naive wisdom and lively insight, protect and inhabit the kingdom of heaven.
It is no easy task to convey such intent in such a small face… a true Renaissance gem, preserved in excellent condition. The outer octagon tapers diagonally, creating an equal number of facets, each with a flower at its center.It should be noted that the brooch itself is made of three assembled pieces: the front face cast in bronze, the putto’s face embossed on copper and subsequently applied, and finally the back, made of bronze. Dimensions: 3.7 x 3.7 x 1.5 cm