Exceptionally heavy, massive and richly decorated bronze handle, closely based on Roman models, which was probably designed as an antique-style "sculpture" without ever having been attached to a vessel. The handle is divided into three parts. The "horizontal" frame on top encircling the rim of a fictitious vessel mouth, a ribbon-shaped handle in the middle and a figuratively designed attachment at the bottom. The uppermost part of the handle and the inner part of the frame form an ornamental unit decorated with acanthus leaves whose ends curl backwards. The ends of the frame terminate in delicately crafted goats’ heads. The anatomically precise is chiselled and finely punched on the surface, among other things, to reproduce the structure of the fur. The upper part of the handle and the part underneath it are separated by two opposing, narrow acanthus bars, the lower one plated with silver. The handle trimmed by a silver-plated beaded rim. On the surface a wavy vine with curling branches in wave crests and troughs, individual leaves also silver-plated. Below the handle the shield-shaped attachment with a head representing a mixture of Medusa and Oceanus heads. Wings in the coiffure above the forehead and knotted snakes below the chin are typical elements of a depiction of Medusa. Six dolphins emerging from the sides of the wavy curls and plant leaves, on the other hand, are elements of a depiction of Oceanus. On the irregularly shaped reverse side of the attachment, which was not intended to be fixed by soldering or mounting (pseudo-attachment), a solid, spherical support. The expressive power of the figural attachment lifted off the ground in this way is enhanced by this artistic trick. Surface patinated dark green at the time of manufacture. The handle, which is much too heavy for a tin vessel (at least in Roman times), was never intended for such a purpose. Of Roman vessels, often only the more solid bronze handles survived, while the thin vessel walls, especially when the metal was heavily mineralised in the ground, were often shattered and remained unnoticed. Similar to copies of rare and beautiful Roman bronze coins that were made in the Renaissance in high quality in terms of style and craftsman (called Paduans), this handle represents an almost exaggerated ideal of a Roman vessel handle with opulent decoration that onceplemented the collection of an antique lover during the Renaissance period, perhaps a nobleman or a rich merchant. On close inspection, however, the style and technique betray the spirit of the Renaissance. Splendid example of a Renaissance bronze sculpture of exquisite artistic quality and workman. Length 24 cm. Width 16.5 cm. Provenance: From the inventory of a Munich gallery. Condition: I - IIProvenance: From the inventory of a Munich gallery.