Lot 1023 D ‡ α

A pair of rare Italian tortoiseshell relief plaques

Auction 1066 - overview Cologne
20.05.2016, 17:00 - Selected Works of Art
Estimate: 8.000 € - 10.000 €
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A pair of rare Italian tortoiseshell relief plaques

Of octagonal form, the reverse hollowed out. Both only slightly curved, carved in low-relief with half-figure depictions of the Virgin and Child and the penitent Mary Magdalene in a grotto. Cracks inherant to the material, rim chips. Virgin and Child 14 x 10.6; Magdalene 14.1 x 10.5 cm.
Possibly Naples, late 17th / early 18th C.

The composition of the Virgin and Child is based on that of Raphael's Madonna della Sedia, which was already housed in the paintings collection of the Palazzo Pitti in Florence in the early 18th century. These relatively large, straight-cut sea turtle shell panels were primarily carved in Italy, primarily Naples. An important tray and a large toilette box of tortoiseshell with fine silver and gold piqué inlays were sold in Lempertz auction 1019 on 15th November 2013.

Provenance

Acquired (probably in the 1980s) from Rainer Zietz art dealership.

Literature

The Wiener Kunstkammer houses a smaller tortoiseshell medallion carved on both sides with a portrait of Archduke Leopold William (cat. Glanz der Macht, Vienna 2010, no. 11).