FRENCH ECOLE FROM THE END OF THE 19th CENTURY "CANTORES" after Lucas Della ROBBIA (1400-1482) Brown patina bronze plaque of scene no. 1 in the Cantoria (cantors' gallery) of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore in Florence. Bears the founder's mark "F. BARBEDIENNE Fondeur" incised lower left and a number painted on the back "81781, gie 250". Size: 50 x 37.5 x 14 cm Luca Della Robbia created one of the cantorie (Donatello for the second), inside the Duomo of Florence (the cathedral). This was the "cantor's tribune", an organ balcony where several singers could meet. This very important bas-relief was commissioned (in 1431) by the Opera del Duomo, to be placed above the door of the Mass sacristy. Luca della Robbia completed it around 1438-1439.

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