Papal States silver lucerna depicting Atlas - Rome 18th century

Papal States silver lucerna depicting Atlas - Rome 18th century of spherical form supported by a nude figure in patinated bronze, with his head reclined and his hands at his sides. The male figure can be identified with Atlas (Ancient Greek: Ἄτλας, Atlas), a character from Greek mythology who, according to tradition, holds the celestial sphere on his shoulders at the behest of Zeus, who decided to punish him because during the Titanomachy he had allied himself with Cronus when he led the Titans against the gods of Olympus. He is in fact represented here as a Titan holding a circular tank with two mouths, with female motifs, on his shoulders to simulate the celestial sphere. Suspended from the reservoir are tools for maintaining and extinguishing the lamp supported by chains; from the lid is the fan decorated with palmette and lion motifs. Stepped oval plinth support with running dog decorations. Hallmarked with the silver warranty mark in use in Rome (Papal States) depicting the "crossed keys of St. Peter under a liturgical umbrella Height 59 cm, base diameters: 19 x 13.8 cm. Weight 4890 g. Item condition grading: **** good (defects).