Cherubic Boy Building a Barrel

Description

• The Figure: A putto (cherub) / young boy depicted as an allegorical or whimsical apprentice cooper (barrel maker). He has classical cherubic proportions (chubby body, stylized hair) but lacks wings, styled in a leather or cloth work apron with criss-cross back straps.
• The Action: He is building (assembling) a barrel.
• The Tools:
  • In his raised right hand, he holds a cooper’s mallet (or hammer).
  • In his left hand, he holds a hoop driver (or hoop setter / drift) against the metal ring (hoop) to drive it down and tighten the flared wooden staves.

Material & Construction

• Base Metal: Cast spelter (white metal / pot metal) with an applied bronzed/patinated finish with gilt highlights on the staves.
• Base Design: Cast to resemble uneven wooden dock or workshop floor planks with four raised integral feet.
• Ink Reservoir: The barrel top is hinged at the back, opening to reveal a removable white vitrified pottery insert.

Manufacturer Identification

• Marks:
  • “420”: The foundry mold/pattern/catalog shape number.
  • Circled “K”: Unidentified mark
• Era / Date: Circa 1885–1910, a period when whimsical figural trade and allegorical occupation inkstands were widely popular.