A rare pair of Italian walnut bellows, one side carved with a pair of cherubs holding floral swags flanking a mask above a central term and flanked by winged sphinx-like caryatid figures, with scroll and leaf borders, above a grotesque mask issuing a bronze nozzle in the form of a couchant mythical beast, the reverse relief carved with scrolls and leaf borders, the fine leather work is early 18th century but probably applied in the 19th century, probably Florence or Venice, late 16th century, 84cm high, 30.5cm wide.
A set of bellows, along with fire-dogs and irons, was essential equipment for a fireplace in early Italy. Just as chimney pieces varied in quality and decoration, so did bellows and this present lot would have been made for a grand house, especially with its expensive bronze nozzle.
For a similar pair of bellows, see Sotheby's, Haute Epoque, 31st October 2007, lot 119.