Inkwell with St. Michael

This small piece is an excellent example of 19th century management of antiquities and collecting. A late 15th century figure of St. Michael (missing the upraised right hand and sword) in the style of Andrea Verrocchio was "given back" its life as a whole object by being placed on a late 19th cover created to fit a 17th century bottom decorated with cherubim heads and leonine feet in the manner of Niccolò Roccatagliata. The grotesque masks of the cover, perforated to allow the introduction of pens, are flanked by a stylized lilly pattern, perhaps an indication that the assemblage was created for (and, indeed, perhaps even designed by) the Bagatti Valsecchi brothers, who had chosen that motif as one of their heraldic devices. Probably purchased by the brothers Fausto and Giuseppe at the end of the 19th century, the inkwell is still displayed--as are all other objects in the museum--in its original place, thus contributing to the authentic "time capsule" ambiance.