Venus

This statuette representing Venus was intended as a firedog figure. It is made in Venice in the second half of the 16th century.

The great majority of bronzes produced during the Italian Renaissance were made for use, so-called 'functional bronzes', which, however beautiful in their own right, nevertheless had some practical use beyond simple ornament.

Firedogs or andirons were placed within the fireplace and would have been used to hold utensials which were required for tending the fire. Often, firedogs do not even appear on inventories, which indicates their status as standard household objects, not necessarily worthy of particular note.