An Italian patinated bronze figural inkwell with Atlas supporting the globe

An Italian patinated bronze figural inkwell with Atlas supporting the globe, in the manner of Severo Calzetta da Ravenna, possibly 18th century, the crouched, bearded figure seated on a circular base raised on paw feet, 19cm high, 14cm wideThe present lot takes its inspiration from inkwells produced in the Paduan workshop of sculptor Severo Calzetta da Ravenna (1465-1543), who was renowned for his whimsical small-scale bronze inkwells, lamps and other objects in bronze, often incorporating mythological themes. An example of related design is in the Metropolitan Museum, New York. It is there noted that the ink basin in the raised hand would likely once have supported a large globular oil lamp.