Lot 403
LOUIS XIV TORTOISESHELL, BOULLE MARQUETRY AND ROSEWOOD CASKET Y
CIRCA 1710
Auction: 4 July 2018 at 11:00 BST
Description
of serpentine outline, profusely inlaid with brass arabesque inlay depicting figures, stylised fronds, flowers and interlaced strapwork, with gilt bronze acanthus corner mounts to the lid and scrolled uprights terminating in brass feet, opening to a void rosewood-lined interior, with a key
Dimensions
34cm wide, 12.5cm high, 26cm deep
Footnote
Provenance:
Private collection, Scotland
Note: The Parisian workshops of the late 17th and early 18th centuries produced a wide range of luxury items and accessories richly decorated with inlaid tortoiseshell and brass, a technique developed by the ebeniste Andre Charles Boulle (1642-1732). Catering to a select clientele, including members of the royal family, noble ladies of the Court, or Parisian aristocracy, highly skilled artisans were influenced by the designs published by Jean Berain (1640-1711). Their highly refined wares were then supplied by the marchands-mercier to a roster of exclusive clients, under the influence of Louis XIV.
Caskets of serpentine outline are particularly rare, as working the tortoiseshell and brass marquetry on to the curved surfaces required a high degree of skill. A serpentine casket of identical shape to the present lot and bearing the cypher of Marie Louise Elisabeth D'Orleans, Duchess of Berry, was sold Kohn, Paris, 11 December 2017, lot 29; and another pair of caskets of the same outline and with near identical mounts but different marquetry, was sold as part of The Wildenstein Collection, Christies, London, 14-15 December, 2005, lot 9. Another single casket of identical design but with replaced mounts and feet sold Sotheby's, London, 29 November, 2006, lot 65. All date to the same period of 1700-1710 and are most likely the product of the same Paris workshop.
Note: Please be aware that this lot contains material which may be subject to import/export restrictions, especially outside the EU, due to CITES regulations. Please note it is the buyer's sole responsibility to obtain any relevant export or import licence. For more information visit http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla-en/imports-exports/cites/