Brass Owl Catchall with Chiseled Feather Decoration. Italian Work in the

This zoomorphic catchall features a brass owl whose slightly hollowed body forms the receptacle. The head with large, rimmed eyes, the powerful beak, and the wing with scaled plumage are treated with fine, lively chiselling, while the bird rests on a stylised branch with rings. The contrast between the smooth, patinated surfaces of the belly and the engraved work of the feathers gives the object its full relief. This decorative bestiary in gilded metal, both figurative and stylised, is part of Italian production from the 1970s and allows for a comparison with Mauro Manetti, a Florentine goldsmith known for his sculptural table objects, including the famous fruit-shaped ice buckets. Condition report: Generally good condition. Brass with a contrasting golden patina, natural surface oxidation contributing to the character of the object. A catchall full of presence for an entrance, a desk, or a coffee table.