Frieze of Tritons and Nereids [reverse] 

This circular bronze relief, depicting a frieze of Tritons and Nereids, was made by Master IO.F.F. sometime between 1404 and 1528. The artist here expertly used the lost wax casting method, a technique dating back to antiquity, to create a visually stunning and intricate composition. The warm, lustrous surface of the bronze is no accident. The artist would have likely manipulated the alloy and the firing process to achieve this particular effect, and bring out the fine details of the mythological figures. The circular format suggests that it may have functioned as a personal adornment, perhaps worn as a pendant. The artist displays not only technical skill, but also considerable artistic license, combining classical mythology with a distinctively Renaissance sensibility. The relief would have required considerable time and skill to produce, suggesting that it was likely commissioned by a wealthy patron. Ultimately, by attending to the material and process behind this relief, we begin to understand its true value.