16th Century Mermaid Inkwell

Copper alloy with light reddish-brown patina and remains of black lacquer patina. The bowl-shaped receptable for an inkwell is held by a seated mermaid with twin tails. The nude figure wears a dolphin-shaped helmet. In her left hand is a book inscribed “Proto Coll”. In her right hand she holds a quill. On the front of the bowl, which is decorated with strapwork, an escutcheon with a coat of arms surmounted by a helmet is held by the woman’s tails. The hinged lid of the bowl is formed as the head of Hercules surmounted by a lion’s skin and a lion’s head. The bowl and mermaid rest on a oval base with four strapwork feet.

This piece is part of the Museum of Art (NYC) collection. It dates to the late 16^th century and likely was made in Verona, Italy.