Italian, Venice, Circa 1500-1550

Alfred Beit, London by 1904;

Thence by descent to Lady Clementine Beit, London;

Alfred Beit Foundation, London;

Christie's London, 7 December 2006, lot 143;

Where acquired by Aso O. Tavitian.

W. Bode, The Art Collection of Mr. Alfred Beit at His Residence 26 Park Lane London, Berlin 1904, as 'Venetian, second half 16th century';

W. Bode, Catalogue of the Collection of Pictures and Bronzes in the Possession of Mr. Otto Beit, London 1913, p. 116, no. 278, as 'Unknown Venetian artist.'

Domestic artifacts, such as table bells, were frequently subject to close inspection by their owners, their guests and their staff. Consequently, they were often decorated with the coats of arms of their owners and exquisitely cast with highly finished details, like the present example.