A Löffler mortar with dolphin handles - image-1

Lot 612 Dα

A Löffler mortar with dolphin handles

Auction 1152 - overview Cologne
29.05.2020, 11:00 - Highly Important Mortars from the Schwarzach Collection II
Estimate: 5.000 € - 6.000 €
Result: 5.500 € (incl. premium)

A Löffler mortar with dolphin handles

Cast bronze with shimmering chocolate brown patina. Cylindrical form with waisted base and broad flaring stepped rim. With bands of moulding around the centre, the pierced handles formed as finely chased dolphins. H 21, D 20.4 cm. Weight c. 11.4 kg.
Attributed to Innsbruck, Löffler workshop, 16th century.

Peter Löffler (around 1468 - around 1530), also called Laminger or Laiminger, cast numerous church bells, but also guns and rifles for the army of Emperor Maximilian I. He cast the first bronze statue for the Innsbruck court church. His son and “part caster” Gregor continued his legacy.